PAOK got off to a strong start to the new season, defeating Beveren 4-1 in their first preseason friendly on Dutch soil, marking Alessio Lissi’s debut on the “black-and-whites’” bench in the post-Lucescu era.
The Italian coach chose to field two different starting lineups in each half, giving him an excellent opportunity to observe his players under normal match conditions. A common and telling aspect of the 40-year-old coach’s philosophy was the high press and the fast, direct style of play he aims to instill in the “Black-and-Whites.”
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The “Double-Headed Eagle of the North” had a standout performer in Christos Zafeiris, who scored two goals and provided an assist, scoring for the first time with the Thessaloniki team—and doing so twice— in less than ten minutes. The first goal for PAOK was scored by Anestis Mythou in the 9th minute, the Belgians had temporarily equalized at 1-1 shortly before the end of the first half, while Dimitris Pelkas sealed the final score shortly before the end of the match. Among the standout players was Giannis Konstantelias, in a landmark match for him, as he started for the first time wearing the captain’s armband.
*photo source: PAOK FC / PAOK FC
