paokarag4

Vieirinha officially ruled out of the first leg. I'm assuming Crespo will be given the start at left back https://www.paokfc.gr/nea/20180803-iatriko-deltio-gia-ton-vieirinha/

Also @Blackhawk didn't we draw twice with Rubin Kazan back in the 11-12 Europa league Group stage?

What do we think of our attacking front 3 situation? (not including prijo) Like it or not Pelkas will start as our no.10. El Kaddouri although he played well v Basel on the wing, not sold on him as a winger. Limnios (can't believe I'm going to say this) I wouldn't mind if he starts. He was quite good this morning, his crossing was good and he looked dangerous when given space. I can't see Lucescu changing the starting XI (barring injuries/Vieirinha being fit)

I agree Xachderdi was very good, impressed me more than Crespo has. European games I feel will suit him, when we will generally be compact and he won't be exposed potentially for a lack of pace. Not that I know if he's overly slow, just assuming because of his height. Might not matter if Vieirinha isn't fit for the first leg I can't see Lucescu playing Kitsiou at left back (or at RB and moving Matos across) So I think both Crespo at left back and Xachderdi will start v Spartak.

I noticed that as well athens, he was celebrating with the fans after that run in with Lucescu so hopefully it was nothing Huge win and a huge prokrisi! On to Spartak

Sub off Varela, Prijo and Maurico please

They need 4 to knock us out from here........

Early goal was invaluable. Apart from the save just after our goal, which only came from a Varela miss-cue we have been very solid and they have offered very little. Expect something of a barrage to start the 2nd half, while they only need 2 goals they will believe that one goal will change the rhythm of the game. Khacherdi has been very good for me, has read the play well and has gotten a foot in on 2-3 crucial occasions. Assuming it stays 0-1 until the hour mark, Warda/Jaba to come on and give us a little more speed on the counter as they continue to bomb forward and leave themselves exposed. Let's see this out manges

the ref gonna start dishing cards? they're persistently fouling us

goaaaaaal!!! there it is!! huge early goal!!!

I just bought the game off agona sport, probably should've asked if anyone has used them and how reliable they are. Seems there are a few steps to actually getting the stream working. My bet is that at 3.50 am it's going to be too much for me to comprehend and I'm gonna kiss $9 goodbye and just hope an illegal stream is reliable :) God I've missed European qualifying games

Bravo re @Boxou, thank you for showing me I'm not losing my mind. How Ninis is even in any sort of conversation is baffling. Guy hasn't played regular mins for a club since 2012. And if I read another "But tziolis plays in Saudi and gets call ups" I'll start following the Cyprus NT. YES we all agree Tziolis shouldn't be a starter, but come on guys, we get it. Tzolis is bad My cousin who hasn't kicked a ball since 2009 is pretty fit? Saw him score a cracker back when we were in high school, should we give him a gig?? Can't be worse than Tziolis??

He was not in the squad last time. The reason he and Mysta I think have been included this time is because it's an extended squad of 23 compared to 18 for the first leg. The team is staying Switzerland after the game and training there on Thursday. So that could be why. No Biseswar is gonna hurt, would have been handy off the bench even

Savvidis junior hinting at a big signing being on the way? https://www.contra.gr/Soccer/Hellas/Superleague/paok/to-aeroplano-toy-savvidh-erxetai-suntoma.5273794.html Surely he doesn't mean the Arsenal under 21 guy?

I'm not too worried about the Maurico rumours at this stage, that just seem to be as blackhawk said fake news. We have been linked to Romanian left back Alin Tosca, who currently plays at Real Betis. He spent the last 6 months of last season on loan at Serie A club Benevento who was eventually relegated. The more I watch Vieirinha bomb forward and look so dangerous in attack, and the ease in which he seems to beat players (he looked sharp v Basel) I can't get over the feeling that we are losing out playing him at left back. So whether Tosca is the one or not we need to sign one asap. Vieirinha will be a huge asset in his natural position on the wing. SIGN A LEFT BACK!!!!!

Teams that sack a coach tend to have an immediate spike in performance. It will be interesting to see how they go this weekend in their league game. Hopefully their instability plays in to our hands rather than rallying their squad

2-0 would have been a great result, conceding that sloppy goal may come back to bite us. I only saw the last 30-35 mins, but Limnios looked good to my surprise. Last year it was Lucescu now is Limnios about to make me eat some good old humble pie??

That looks awful.....

Our former goalkeeper Robin Olsen is apparently close to joining Roma to replace Alisson. We hold 20% of his resale value, so according to Contra we stand to net 2.4-3.4 million. Depending of course on what the final price is. Also the Karelis rumours have reappeared, reports coming out of Belgium that we are into him. I personally wouldn't mind him as a back-up, he was in great form with Genk 18 months ago before injuring his knee. He's worth the risk IMO if he was to come at a decent price, but Genk value him at 5 mil, which would never happen. Maybe a loan move will eventuate? Olsen Karelis

Biseswar being out is a big blow. I agree with you pash, this injury IMO guarantees Warda will start. Mean while the other flank is still open for the taking Jaba and Lambrou step up and show us what ya got

Seeing most of this game has done nothing to convince limnios should be anywhere near the starting XI. His touch is pretty poor and it's always 50-50 when the ball is passed to him if its gonna stick or not. In this 2nd half, he's had numerous 1V1's against a defender and has not beaten anyone. Still a loooong way to go before he's starting material IMO

I take anything a Greek journalist says as completely wrong and inaccurate, so looks like he's out for a month ? Seriously though, hopefully it's nothing and he's right to go for the first leg v Basel. Such an important player

Oh no, Varela down.... Take him off F*** this EDIT: He's just been carried off by the doctors, wasn't putting any weight on his right leg. God I hope it's nothing serious

Apparently Stuttgart rejected a 10 million euro offer from an English club for Donis. http://www.contra.gr/Columns/to-evaggelio/article5261985.ece Big season coming up for him, really needs to get some regular minutes and be a starter

Could be a load of kaka pash (not the Brazilian maestro)