Razvan Lucescu shuffled his pack, making several changes in order to freshen up his team, with Taylor, Sastre, Lovren and Hatsidis all getting a starting berth.

PAOK started the game strongly, dominated from the kick-off, and tried to threaten Melissas’ goal from the first few minutes, with the AEL goalkeeper saving from Andrija Zivkovic  in a one-on-one just three minutes into the match after a pass from Chalov .

Two shots by Konstantelias and one from Ozdoev failed to find the net, but AEL did not threaten the home goal and the Double-headed Eagle tightened the screw on the visitors by camping out around their penlaty area, but struggling initially to create good chances.

Zivkovic missed the best chance in the middle of the first half, with the Serb seeing the ball come to him after a save by Melissas, but he failed to find the target from an advantageous position. The 0-0 scoreline remained intact until the half-time whistle.

The start of the second half was ideal for PAOK. Despodov , who came on at the break in place of Hatsidis, found the net with his first touch. Zivkovic pressed high, stole possession, and crossed for the Bulgarian and he finished with a shot on the move to make it 1-0.

After the goal, PAOK had two more good chances to extend their lead with Konstantelias and Meite both sending the ball wide of Melissas’ goal. Lucescu also brought Giorgos Giakoumakis into the fray, the striker making his debut in a PAOK shirt, while as the half wore on, the home side were in full control of the match.

In the 74th minute, Giakoumakis had a great double chance to make it 2-0, with Melissas initially stopping him, and then the Greek international narrowly missing from the rebound. A minute later, AEL had their own good chance, with Mourgos missing from a shot from inside the penalty area.

In the 78th minute, Taison, on his return from injury, saw Melissas stopa shot he attempted after a pass from Konstantelias , while two minutes later, Sastre, after an excellent team effort, failed to score from a good position.

AEL tried to threaten but the home defence heald firm and did not give the visitors much of an opportunity, while in the 86th minute Melissas saved a dangerous shot by Kamara.

The score remained the same until the referee’s final whistle, and PAOK celebrated their first three points of the new season, gained a measure of self-confidence, and now turn their collective attention to the second leg of their European qualifying tie against Rijeka at the Toumba Stadium.

Team lineups:

PAOK: Pavlenka, Sastre, Taylor, Lovren, Michailides, Ozdoev (77′ Kamara), Meite, Konstantelias (85′ Ivanusec), A. Zivkovic (77′ Taison), Hatsidis (46′ Despodov), ​​Chalov (68′ Giakoumakis).

AEL: Melissas, Tsakla, Pantelakis, Kosonou (22′ Kovacevic), Deligiannidis, Perez, Atanasov (80′ Sourlis), Staikos (72′ Passas), Toupta, Yusis, Mourgos (80′ Hatzistravos).