It’s time for the big Thessaloniki derby! PAOK hosts Aris tonight (9:00 p.m.) at Toumba Stadium as part of Matchday 4 of the Stoiximan Super League (September 13, 9:00 p.m.) in a match of special significance for both teams.
The “Double-Headed Eagle of the North” aims to put its loss to Panathinaikos in Athens behind it and return to winning ways in the season’s first major derby in front of its home crowd. On the other hand, the “Yellows” are looking to bounce back after their loss to AEK and leave Toumba with a result that will give them momentum for the rest of the season.
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Taha Ali and Pavlenka walked through the operating room door
In the PAOK camp, the week was particularly intense, as Alessio Lisi had the opportunity to work more with his team, following a stretch of back-to-back games and several new signings. The Italian coach now has a better understanding of the players at his disposal and is tasked with fielding a team that shows greater focus and, above all, the passion required for a derby against Aris.
PAOK’s preseason training concluded at the Nea Mesimvria facilities, with club president Ivan Savvidis in attendance. The club’s top executive spoke to the players and to Alessio Lisi, expressing his full support for the Italian coach and asking everyone to stand united and fight for this season’s ultimate goal, which is none other than winning the league title. Savvidis asked the players to give it their all from the first whistle to the last, to show character, and to face Aris with the necessary seriousness, regardless of previous results. In fact, he emphasized that they must be ready to fight for one another and for the team, highlighting the importance of unity ahead of this crucial match.
Alessio Lissi, for his part, is now well aware of how important this particular game is to PAOK fans. The Italian coach revealed that he has asked about and learned quite a bit about the history of the matchups with Aris, emphasizing that the passion in the Thessaloniki derbies is reminiscent in many ways of similar matches in Italy.
The PAOK coach focused primarily on the passion his team must bring to the field, as well as on the values the club stands for. As he emphasized, it is up to the players to make the fans proud through the performance they put on at Toumba. At the same time, Lissi also mentioned the two new players who are on the roster for the first time. Both Diego Costa and Kristian Jakic are now available, and the Italian coach emphasized that both are ready to play and make an immediate impact.
In goal, Pavlenka has the edge, while in defense, Kenny, Diego Costa, Michailidis, and Baba are the frontrunners to start. In midfield, Zafeiris appears to have secured a spot, with Lissis having tested both Santamaría and Jakić alongside him. Santamaria currently seems to have a slight edge, though the decision is not yet considered set in stone. Further up the field, Pelkas has been tested in a playmaking role, while on the right, Zivkovic is the most likely to start. On the opposite flank, Taha Ali currently has the edge over Tyson. Up front, all signs point to Diaye being Lisi’s choice to lead the attack.
PAOK, however, will take the field with several players out. Aritz Elustondo is ineligible to play, as he is serving a suspension resulting from his ejection in the match against Panathinaikos, while Dimitris Giannoulis, Tom Lousse, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Kiril Despodov, Soualiho Meité, and Giannis Sarris are also out. On the other hand, Greg Taylor is back in Lissi’s lineup after serving his suspension.
PAOK’s roster: Pavlenka, Tsiftsis, Monastirlis, Kenny, Kosidis, Costa, Michailidis, Bataoulas, Baba, Taylor, Thymianis, Santamaria, Jakic, Zafeiris, Kamara, Ugrecic, Pelkas, Soretire, Tyson, Ali, Zivkovic, Hatzidis, Endiaye, Mythou.
On the other side, Aris heads to Toumba with the clear goal of bouncing back. The “Yellows” are coming off a heavy 5-0 loss to AEK, a game in which they played well for long stretches but paid the price for a poor final half-hour and defensive lapses.
Michalis Grigoriou has asked his players to put that game behind them and focus exclusively on the Toumba derby. The Greek coach knows that PAOK is expected to come out strong due to home-field advantage and is asking his team to remain calm and collected, so they can handle the pressure and capitalize on their own opportunities.
“We’re set to face PAOK in the Thessaloniki derby. All our thoughts and energy since the AEK match have been focused on this particular game. We need to get back to playing well and getting good results. And to do that at Toumba, we’ll have to give 100%,” Grigoriou emphasized.
The Aris coach also emphasized the disastrous final stretch of the match against AEK, urging his players not to repeat such lapses in concentration. As he emphasized, the derby is expected to come down to the details and will require absolute focus at every moment of the game.
At the same time, Gregoriou is expected to bring back several of the starting players who got a rest during the midweek Cup match in Tripoli. Fandiga, Jensen, Richards, Bashiru, and Kantevere did not play at all against Asteras AKTOR and are strong candidates to return to the starting lineup.
In midfield, Ratić is expected to retain his spot, while up front, Kantevere has the edge for the starting position. For the spot behind the striker, Grigoriou must choose between the different styles offered by Kouamé and Manu García, while on the left side, Gianniotas currently has the edge.
The Greek coach has not announced the roster for the derby, with final decisions on the starting lineup expected right up until kickoff.
Possible starting lineups:
PAOK (Alessio Lisi): Pavlenka – Kenny, Diego Costa, Michailidis, Baba – Zafeiris, Santamaria – Zivkovic, Pelkas, Taha Ali – Diaye.
Aris (Michalis Grigoriou): Velio – Richards, Fabiano, Rose, Brabec – Bashiru, Racic – Gare, Kouame, Gianniotas – Kantevere.
Referee: Andrea Colombo
1st Assistant Referee: Giuseppe Perotti
2nd Assistant Referee: Giorgio Peretti
4th Official: Michalis Matsoukas
VAR: Marco Di Bello
AVAR: Ivano Pecutto
*photo source: KYPE
