PAOK will battle to the end after draw
PAOK were held to a 1-1 draw by AEK at the Toumba Stadium and will have to battle right to last match against Panathinaikos in the race for second place in the 2025-26 Stoiximan Super League.
Razvan Lucescu started the match with two changes compared to the previous game at the «Georgios Karaiskakis», with Taison and Ozdoev taking the places of Ivanusec and Zafeiris .
The two teams entered the game aiming to create with PAOK threatening first in the 14th minute. Taison found Jeremejeff, whose effort on goal was saved by Brignoli.
Shortly afterwards, Pavlenka made an excellent save from Varga’s header. Pavlenka also had the answer to Zini’s goal attempt, while in the 33rd minute Jeremejeff, went close with his header.
The first half ended with a great chance for PAOK. Meite headed in a corner-kick from Taison, but the ball went just over Brignoli’s crossbar.
PAOK came out strong in the second half and threatened in the 50th minute with Taison sending over a cross, but Brignoli made a save to avert any danger. A minute later, Konstandelias became a threat, but his shot went wide.
In the 56th minute, an excellent team effort from the home side saw them almost open the scoring, Andrija Zivkovic fired in an effort on goal, but Brignoli made the save, and Jeremejeff was there to collect the rebound, but his effort deflected off Vida and went out for a corner.
AEK responded with a shot by Zini which hit Pavlenka’s crossbar in the 60th minute, while moments later Joao Mario aimed a shot on goal, but Pavlenka cleared it.
PAOK had control of the match, but then found themselves chasing the score. Kutesa provided an assist for Jovic, who made it 1-0 to the visitors in the 73rd minute.
Lucescu then made some changes, PAOK became more aggressive, and in the 88th minute they equalized with a header by Mythou after a corner-kick taken by A. Zivkovic. The hosts also had two great chances to complete a comeback win, but the returning Giorgos Giakoumakis missed the target.
PAOK remain two points behind Olympiacos in the battle for second place and will fight until the last matchday to try and make an upset and claim a ticket for the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
Team lineups:
PAOK: Pavlenka, Kenny (46′ Sanchez), Kedziora, Michailidis, Baba, Meite (74′ Bianco), Ozdoev, A. Zivkovic, Konstantelias (85′ Giakoumakis), Taison (83′ Pelkas), Jeremejeff (74′ Mythou).
AEK: Brignoli, Rota, Vida, Relvas, Penrice, Pineda, Marin, Joao Mario (71′ Kutesa), Koita (63′ Jovic), Varga (46′ Ljubicic), Zini (83′ Mantalos).
