Leonardo Jardim chose Siovas and Manolas as the central defenders “duo” for the starting line-up. Carroll defended the goal, whereas Torosidis and Cholevas completed the defensive line.
In the midfield, our coach opted for a triad with Modesto, Maniatis and Machado. The wingers were Abdoun on the left and Fuster on the right, while Rafik Djebbour played at the top of the offensive line.
During the first ten minutes, Olympiacos tried to set their own pace to the game, and they did it. What is more, in 8’, after a poor clearance by PAOK’s defenders, Maniatis sent the ball forward. Djebbour took a header and laid the ball to Machado, who launched a shot, but missed.
In 27’, Olympiacos achieved their objective and took the lead! Rafik Djebbour picked on Abdoun to the left, who stormed in and passed to Fuster at the far post. The ball, though it did not get there, was deflected to the box area and incoming Rafik Djebbour took a killer shot and smashed Glikos’ net to pieces, scoring 1-0!
In 44’, Olympiacos missed a big chance to score a second goal! Cholevas took a free kick from the right. Modesto came along, but failed to tap the ball and net it for just a few inches.
As soon as the second half started, PAOK became more aggressive. In 47’, Athanasiadis received the ball and tried to enter the box, but Modesto and Manolas thought otherwise and intercepted him. In 53’, our side missed the opportunity to score 2-0! Fuster picked on Abdoun to the left, and the later crossed from the left, parallel to the goal. PAOK’s defense cleared poorly again, and incoming Maniatis launched a shot, but Glikos saved it to a corner kick!
In 65’, our side missed another incredible chance to score! Djebbour and Abdoun made a combined move and from the left, the ball was crossed to Fuster, who failed to turn in it, with the ball passing inches off Glikos’ post.
In 77’, Jardim refreshed the side’s midfield line, replacing Modesto with Fejsa. Earlier, in 71’, Mitroglou had replaced Djebbour.
In 87’, the Portuguese coach completed his substitutions for the day, replacing Djamel Abdoun with Greco.
In the next minute, Salpigidis crossed from the right and Athanasiadis tapped it in, scoring the equalizer for PAOK.
This 1-1 was the final result, and the red-and-white team retained a difference of 8 points from the Thessaloniki-based side in the championship table, which holds second place.
PAOK: Glikos, Katsikas, Robert (74’ Stafylidis), Salpigidis, Lino, Fotakis, Lawrence (66’ Lazar), Kace, Athanasiadis, Vivian, Etto (46’ Konstantinidis).
OLYMPIACOS: Carroll, Torosidis, Cholevas, Manolas, Siovas, Maniatis, Modesto (77’ Fejsa), Machado, Abdoun (87΄ Greco), Fuster, Djebbour (71’ Mitroglou).
