PAOK lose their mind, as well as two points
For almost 90 minutes PAOK did everything perfectly. Then for four minutes the team lost their collective mind and paid for it. Asteras Tripoli stole a point with a 95th-minute buzzer-beater as PAOK let a two-goal lead slip at the “Theodoros Kolokotronis” in a 2022-23 Stoiximan Super League Matchday 22 contest which ended 2-2.
Memories of the corresponding fixture in Thessaloniki were awakened in a dramatic night in Tripoli. PAOK were excellent for 90 minutes. Dominant, with a clear gameplan, showed substance in their play, scored two goals, and even had many opportunities for a bigger lead. And yet, still the three points did not come. Asteras found PAOK lacking a clear and composed mind in added time and with two goals… stole two points.
Razvan Lucescu’s team had begun strongly, took the opposition by surprise and took the lead after just six minutes. After a corner, Nasberg nodded on the first header, and the ball ended up with Oliveira. He then turned it back to the Norwegian, who made it 1-0 to the visitors with a close-range shot for his first goal in a PAOK shirt.
The Double-headed Eagle had two more important chances through Narey and Ingason, with Asteras then responding in the 12th minute with a misplaced shot from Sito. PAOK were in complete control of the match and came close to scoring five times in the last quarter of the first half with Oliveira missing, Sastre sending the ball into the side netting, Narey hitting the woodwork, and Konstandelias missing the target on two ocassions.
Asteras had a good chance with Sito’s shot in the 39th minute, with Zivko Zivkovic making the save and the ball hitting the post and going wide.
In the second half, the pace of the match dropped noticeably. The first big moment though, came in the 62nd minute when Papadopoulos saved Narey’s shot. The German then had two more good chances with shots, as did Douglas, with the goal finally coming in the 82nd minute.
Rafa Soares produced a great pass for second half substitute Brandon Thomas, who applied an excellent finish to make it 2-0 to PAOK.
But just when it seemed that it was game, set and match, the hosts found a way to make a comeback. A goal by Sito in the 90th minute, and another from Atienza in the fifth minute of added time made the final score 2-2.
It’s a painful result for PAOK, who must immediately leave this disappointment behind them and turn their attention to the upcoming derby clash with AEK next Sunday at the Toumba.
Team lineups:
Asteras Tripoli: Papadopoulos, Garcia (Gardafski 46′), Alvares, Castano, Atienza, Alagbe, Santafe (Prountzos 70′), Riera (Tilika 77′), Sito, Crespi, Barales.
PAOK: Z.Zivkovic, Sastre (Kedziora 88′), Ingason, Nasberg, Rafa Soares, Augusto, Schwab (Filipe Soares 88′), Narey, A.Zivkovic (Taison 77′), Konstantelias (Biseswar 68′), Oliveira (Brandon 68).
