paokarag4

Durmishaj being called up to replace the injured Mitroglou. Looks like EPO has received the paper work needed from the Albanian FA, but it's still not 100% he'll be able to play the game. Regardless he's en route to link up with the squad. https://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/ethnikh-elladas-o-ntoyrmisai-sth-thesh-toy-mhtrogloy.5471503.html

His strike rate isn't great but by international football standards it's not awful either. Have a look at his goals per game average compared to Greece's other top scores and it's not too far behind. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece_national_football_team#Top_goalscorers

YES DONIS!! Finally 2-0

How did that stay out

Hammering them but we can't put the ball in the net

A simple ball over the top gets it done, lord we needed that goal. Hopefully we don't relax and take our foot off the pedal with that goal, although they've produced nothing in terms of chances but Liechtenstein has looked dangerous enough when we've turned the ball over and they've countered. Need to come out and chase the 2nd goal and put the game to bed.

GOAAAL!!!

Disappointed with what i've seen from Koutris so far today

Stop shooting from everywhere

What a chance, masouras

I didn't write the article file, just stating what I read. Vlachodimos and Paschalakis are apparently the 2 fighting it out for the start. We won't know until an hour before the game which of the 3 it'll be!

Reported starting XI -------------------Vlaxodimos Bakakis------Siovas----Risvanis/Kourbelis----Koutris --------------------Samaris-----Zeca----- Donis----------Fortounis----------Masouras/Bakestas --------------------Mitro No real surprises if that's how we line up. Hopefully Masouras gets the nod of Bakestas. The only minor concern I have is if Risvanis does start then we have two slowish center backs playing, I don't know the first thing about Liechtenstein's team but if they have anyone with some pace it could cause us some headaches on the breaks. Regardless I'm still confident we'll win and win comfortably. 2 or 3-0 is my bet.

^^^ +1

Pelkas isn't young anymore, he's 25. He doesn't have the quality of Biseswar, El Kaddouri. Yes he works hard and has pace, but his touch is poor. He'll burn 2 players for pace and then his next touch will be awful and he losses possession. His finishing isn't spectacular either but then again we don't have have anyone post Prijo who is an elite finisher. I think the way we are moving as a club, he'll end up as a depth player as he has been since the new year. That is of course unless he's moved on at the end of the season. I can't see any big money offers coming for him though given the season he's had.

Even though I'm a PAOK fan, Vlaxodimos needs to start. I recall leading into the Nations league match against Estonia it was reported that Paschalakis would start and in the end Barkas got the nod. I wouldn't pay too much attention to those projected line-ups, until later in the week.

If Sokratis is indeed out of both games (Greek websites haven't ruled him out completely) Then Samaris/Kourbelis at center back is an option, if Angelos doesn't trust Kolovetsios and Risvanis. Officially Kolovetsios was called up to replace the ruled out Mantalos but no doubt this was done with one eye on Sokratis potentially missing. http://www.novasports.gr/podosfairo/europi/european-championship-qualification/article/444090/stin-ethniki-o-kolovetsios-agonia-gia-papastathopoulo/ https://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/epo/ethnikh-elladas-kolovetsios-anti-mantaloy.5467457.html

Fantastic watch this, Sokratis on total football discussing everything from what went wrong post World cup 2014 to where the ethniki should be playing. Also much different listening to him say he'll retire from the ethniki post euro 2020, it doesn't seem all the so doom and gloom. I think if he sees we are a realistic chance of making the World cup in Qatar he may just hang on until then but that's a while off being an issue. Very good watch and Katsouranis provides some good insight into the post Mundial 14 s%$#! show. Worth the watch if you have the time. At 5.52 he begins discussing his beginnings and how he ended up at AEK. The ethniki chat comes a little later. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfplRt1mp28

Varela with the biggest hint that he's staying put on his instagram Hopefully they are very close to finalizing the deal https://www.sport24.gr/football/omades/Paok/paok-o-varela-esteile-mhnyma-paramonhs.5465660.html

Wow. That's a surprise that he'd post that with still 8 games to go (including the cup) at least! Disappointing if he is moving on at the end of the year, but if we are getting good $$ for him then we need to reinvest straight away.

I'd give Mavrias who's an actual winger a chance over Mantalos or Bakasetas out wide. Donis is a lock to start IMO. Bakakis will most likely start. Interesting to see what CM combo he goes with, you'd have to say Zeca and Samaris most likely in Bosnia but against Liechtenstein that might be a bit of overkill.

Worst fears confirmed Mauricio has done his ACL and possibly damaged his meniscus. An ACL can take up to a year to properly heal. No course of action has been decided as of yet, but it's surely surgery. Unless I've missed understood, my Greek is good but I'm not the sharpest on medical diagnosis https://www.paokfc.gr/nea/20190311-iatriko-deltio-gia-mauricio/

Poor Vieirinha will never start another game on the wing no matter what happens! He just wants a little run in attack

Despite playing a 120 minutes mid-week in the Champions league, Manolas has an injury that will keep him out for 3 weeks. Looks unlikely he'll be called up, although they do say he might be fit for the 2nd match against Bosnia. https://www.sport24.gr/football/ellada/ethniki_elladas/ethnikh-elladas-nok-aoyt-o-manwlas.5459034.html

We've been drawn to play Asteras, first leg at home on either the 3rd or 4th of April. Would be amazing to have AEK for a third straight time in the final and to beat them. Not sure if that's ever happened before where the same 2 teams played off in 3 consecutive finals. Will be a tough slog against Asteras it always is, I have a feeling one of the two ties will have an upset. If you believe the kafenio talk AEK v Lamia is a friendly and AEK is already in the final

The following players who play in foreign leagues have been called up for the qualifiers which start in 2 weeks. Good to have Donis back, hopefully he gets through the next few games unscathed. We don't need any of these boys injured heading into these games Βλαχοδήμο, Μανωλά, Παπασταθόπουλο, Σιόβα, Σάμαρη, Ζέκα και Μήτρογλου οι οποίοι μαζί με Κολοβό και Δώνη. http://www.novasports.gr/podosfairo/europi/european-championship-qualification/article/441110/ennia-oi-legeonarioi-tou-aggelou-epistrefei-o-donis/