17-minute «blackout» costs PAOK as they slip to defeat
PAOK paid for a poor 17-minute spell at the start of the second half and lost 2-1 to Olympiacos at the Toumba in their rearranged Matchday 4 clash of the Super League Interwetten Play Offs.
After the end of the match, Razvan Lucescu described his team as … exhausted. PAOK had the desire, the passion, and the plan, and were excellent in a first half which they completely dominated. However, at the start of the second half the home side lacked the necessary concentration and energy, and Olympiacos took full advantage to leave the Toumba with all three points.
The Double-headed Eagle players began the match strongly, penning Olympiacos in their own half and took the lead in the 10th minute with Murg scoring from close range after an effort by Colak.
The rest of the first half did not yield any major moments or chances, with Ba blocked Colak in the 21st minute, Tiquinho and Kamaras missing two half-chances, and Kurtic failing to score with his head in the 43rd minute.
Pedro Martins decided to change three players at half-time and his decisions proved spot on. On the other hand, Lucescu had to manage another problem, as Crespo could not continue in the second half due to an injury.
PAOK came into the half after the restart seemingly without a clear mind and the necessary intensity, and they paid for it. Ronnie Lopez made it 1-1 in the 51st minute, while nine minutes later Reabciuk made it 2-1 with a shot from inside the penalty area.
PAOK did not give up, though. Olympiacos allowed the home side space and PAOK fought until the last minute to try and get something from the game, but they were not efficient enough in hte final third.
Mitrita tried unsuccessfully on two occasions to score, A. Zivkovic the same, while in the 83rd minute Oliveira directed a header goalwards from a good position but the ball flashed narrowly over Vaclik’s crossbar.
Team lineups:
PAOK (Lucescu): Paschalakis, Lyratzis, Ingason, Crespo (46′ Mihaj), Sidcley, Tsingaras (60′ Schwab), Kurtic, Murg, Soares (60′ A. Zivkovic), Mitrita (75′ Oliveira), Colak (63′ Akpom).
Olympiacos (Martins): Vaclik, Lala, Sokratis, Ba (64′ Papadopoulos), Reabcuk, M’Vila, Bouchalakis (46′ A. Kamara), M. Kamara, Masouras (46′ Rodregues), Lopez (78′ Vrousai), Tiquinho (46′ El Arabi).
