PAOK must put its elimination by Anderlecht behind it and focus on its European campaign, facing Brann in the Conference League playoffs (8:45 p.m.).
Alessio Lissi’s team suffered two losses to the Belgians, with the most recent one in Brussels ending 3-2—a game in which they struggled, especially on defense.
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Now, however, the pressure is entirely on Bran. Yiannis Konstantelias’s departure for Dortmund has changed the landscape, with PAOK now having to learn to play without its star player. At the same time, Andrija Živković is out for both matches due to suspension.
“I trust the sporting directors and the management. We need to find players for this position who can contribute as much as Delia. Two players in a similar position to his. It’s impossible to find a player of similar caliber so soon,” was Lisi’s comment on Delia’s departure.
On the positive side for PAOK is the arrival of Serif Ndiaye, who is on the roster for the two upcoming games and is expected to start. Lissi’s game plan remains open, as it remains to be seen whether he’ll opt for a formation with Pelka behind the striker or a three-midfielder setup.
On the other hand, Brann is traveling to Thessaloniki in high spirits. The Norwegian team is coming off two consecutive wins and has won four of its last five league games, climbing to sixth place.
In Europe, they started in the second qualifying round of the Conference League, eliminating Universitatea Cluj with an aggregate score of 5-3 and then Apollon Limassol 4-3. In fact, against the Limassol team, they had to stage a comeback in the second leg and secure qualification in extra time.
Erik Horneland’s team appears to have improved, but it still shows defensive weaknesses. It’s a team that finds the back of the net relatively easily, but has several gaps in its back line.
The two teams also faced off last year in the Europa League group stage, with the match at Toumba ending in a 1-1 draw. This time, however, the stakes are much higher, as the winner of this matchup will secure a spot in the Conference League’s group stage, while the loser will be eliminated from European competition.
Probable starting lineups:
PAOK (Alesio Lisi): Pavlenka, Kenny, Hatzidiakos, Michailidis, Giannoulis, Santamaria, Zafeiris, Hatzidis, Pelkas, Tyson, Ndiaye
Brann (Erik Horneland): Dingeland, Rouve, Pedersen, Knudsen, Soltvedt, Gudmundsson, Sørensen, Vasberg, Eriksen, Holm, Fine
*photo source: PAOK FC
