Honours even at the Toumba
PAOK and AEK shared the point on Sunday at the Toumba on Matchday 6 of the 2021-22 Super League Intewetten Play Offs. The Union went ahead through Amrabat, but PAOK replied courtesy of Colak, while the home side were also denied a winner by the woodwork in the closing minutes with Oliveira the unlucky player not to score.
It was by definition a very difficult match. The fatigue from the 120-minute battle against Olympiacos last Wednesday, and the many absentees, raised the level of difficulty even more, but PAOK this season has learned not to bend and break.
AEK came to the Toumba having a whole week to prepare for the game and with lots of motivation, but the hosts were determined, stuck to their gameplan and based on the balance of play they could have got the three points.
PAOK made a strong start and scored through Colak, but referee Kampakov chalked the goal off for handball after consulting VAR. AEK responded in the 15th minute and took the lead thanks to Amrabat, but Lucsescu’s team had the right response once more.
After stealing possession following some pressing high up the pitch in the 27th minute, Murg teed up Colak and the Croatian made it 1-1 with an excellent shot.
Until the half-time break, both teams had another good moment apiece, with Mitrita failing to hit the target withg a direct free-kick, while earlier on Paschalakis stopped an impressive header from Mandalos from close range.
AEK entered the second half looking stronger, and they created some good moments. However, the home defense and goakkeeper Paschalakis responded correctly when needed and did not allow the visitors to spring a surprise and take the lead again.
PAOK then balanced the game out, upped the tempo, and started threatening too. In the 52nd minute Sastre fired in a long shot, but saw Stankovic send the ball out for a corner with a block, and following a long phase of play A. Zivkovic thought he had a good chance but he was pulled up for a committing a foul on the AEK goalkeeper.
The tension was significant for both teams and there were also many fouls and yellow cards dished out with not much football being played at that point. PAOK were the team who looked most likely to win the game, but in the 83rd minute Oliveira’s side-footed effort beat Stankovic but hit the crossbar. That was the last goalmouth action of the game as both teams had to settle for a point.
Team lineups:
PAOK (Lucescu): Paschalakis, Taylor (68′ Lyratzis), Varela (46′ Ingason), Mihaj, Sastre, Soares (74′ Kurtic), Schwab, A. Zivkovic, Murg, Mitrita (82′ Akpom), Colak (82′ Oliveira).
AEK (S. Ofridopoulos): Stankovic, Rota, Mitoglou, Tzavellas, Haji, Szymanski, Krychowiak, Mandalos (86′ Franson), L. Garcia, Amrabat (92′ Ansarifard), Zuber.
