pash

Slowly but surely: We're dropping like flies though; I'd be surprised if three of us make it to the group stages.

Just put together an overly long list of every team that's in (or likely to be) the EL group stage, with some coefficient data. I listed it out in excel and added to drop box; if anyone wants a link to the file let me know. I'll put the most relevant part below: Teams ahead of PAOK (coefficient points): 10 seeded teams from the playoffs (assuming all win their matches) 4 direct entrants to the champions league (that have more coefficient points than us) 1 CL play off loser (one of sporting or steaua, who are playing each other and are both ranked above us) Total: 15 teams Games to watch: Fenerbahce vs Vardar - Fenerbahce lost the away fixture 2-0, Vardar has ~5 points Zenit vs Utrecht - Zenit lost away fixture 1-0, Utrecht has ~6 points Dynamo Kyiev vs Maritimo - Dynamo drew away fixture Rosenborg vs Ajax - Ajax lost at home Bilbao vs PAO - Bilbao won 2-3 away, almost guaranteed to go through AEK vs Club Brugge - AEK drew away vs Brugge, needs to win at home Braga vs Hafnarfjordur - Braga won 1-2 away, should go through Assuming my count is right, that means we need three upsets out of all of the EL play off games that will happen; above I've listed seven games that may be trending that way (with PAO and the Braga games being very unlikely to go our way). -edit- I should note that the point of this is to see if we can make it into pot 1, assuming that wasn't already obvious

Okay I clearly thought in the above post that this was a home game for some reason. Uh, ignore that. I'd like to see the below lineup. I still think Biseswar needs to start; if he looks poor than sub him off for Pelkas. If Lucescu judges that he'll be too tired to even play a half, then keep him on the bench. --Rey-- --Matos--Varela--Malezas--Deligiannidis-- --Cimirot--Shakhov-- --Henrique--Biseswar--Mak-- --Prijovic--

Yeah, I really thought this was a walk in the park too. The PK was no more than a speed bump; it was inevitable that we would take them apart. Remember, our team has had this coach for a week, and clearly came out of preseason unfit. We will easily qualify for this tournament. Leovac and Cimirot had an off day (I'd say Shakhov as well, maybe more so than Cimirot). Biseswar had a few moments where he shone, but otherwise they kept him under control. Campos was great, and Prijovic finally popped his cherry. I'm watching the press conference now; Lucescu clearly knows how to not burn bridges with his players. The press is very focused on Pelkas playing a "#6 or #8" (which I wouldn't say is what happened) - Stanojevic at this point would have been saying that he's playing there because we don't have players that can be used in his system. Lucescu just says that we have no problems and that Pelkas has shown that he's a great player who can play anywhere. Guess who Pelkas will play harder for?

I can't see us not scoring against them. Easy qualification for us.

Agreed, this game should never have been as close as it was. Surely this is exactly what caught Galatasaray as well. I've heard some disturbing things about Stanojevic's preseason lately (very light work in the Netherlands, some players came back fatter, etc). Hopefully Lucescu whips them into shape.

3-1!

Holy s%$#! Henrique got absolutely glocked

Oh my goodness! Wow awesome!

Mak coming off for Klaus. Henrique's attempt would have been goal of the year for sure

Klaus coming on

PRIJOVIC FINALLY!!!! YESSSS!!!!

Looks like we're playing a 4-4-2 diamond now

Henrique coming on for Biseswar

Ahh Prijovic, so close! I agree with the change, Shakhov has been invisible and their attacks are much less of a threat than their defense.

Pelkas the first sub. Presumably for Biseswar? -edit- Shakhov coming off

Great run by Mak, so close for Campos...just a little more speed needed

Haha sometimes I think the best part of our games is when Campos does absurd things to gain possession

PAO has scored in their game

BTW a yellow from Leovac means he misses the next game. Not good, considering that Deligiannidis and Leveque are both injured.

And now to see if Lucescu can inspire them at halftime. I'm hoping for two more goals tonight. Particularly two more goals *from us*

He loves the underdog story!

Campos down, doesn't look like he's in a lot of pain, hopefully it's nothing serious (knee)

GOAL MATOS YESSSSS

Finally a yellow