The result in itself isn’t that important. What does count is the team bringing out on the pitch the elements that Vladan Ivić asks of them in official games as well. Especially in the first half, PAOK displayed energy, eagerness, solid defending and attacking creativity.

They scored all three goals in that period. In the 16th minute, following a corner for Pirin, PAOK launched a textbook counterattack. Dimitris Pelkas and Gojko Cimirot combined impeccably and the latter served Róbert Mak for the opener. Two minutes later, lively Jairo teed up Stefanos Athanasiadis for a 2-0 lead. Just before the interval, Cimirot turned provider again with Τzavellas making it 3-0.

In the second half, Ivić made eight substitutions and, as expected, the match rhythm suffered for it. PAOK were not threatened, but they couldn’t keep up the same pace in attack, except for some individual initiatives of Rodrigues.

PAOK’s starting line-up: Glykos, Kitsiou, Malezas, Vítor, Τziolis, Cimirot, Pelkas , Tzavellas, Jairo, Μak, Αthanasiadis.

Second-half line-up: Vellidis, Sabo, Tzavellas (60′ Korovesis), Skondras, Chatziisaias, Charisis, Antonis, Golasa, Mak (60′ Kace), Rodrigues, Athanasiadis (75′ Kushta).

• Thursday’s training session is scheduled to start at 11:00 in Nea Mesimvria.