PAOK is facing one of its toughest moments of the season so far, with the 1-3 loss to Kalamata at Toumba raising far greater concerns than just a simple loss of points. What was most troubling was the overall performance of the “Double-Headed Eagle,” which showed long stretches of disjointed play, intensity, and a clear game plan, allowing their opponent to create several significant scoring opportunities. In fact, the final score could have been even more lopsided, with the performance significantly increasing the pressure on Alesio Lisi.
The Italian coach is now the focus of criticism, as after 14 official matches, PAOK continues to show significant fluctuations in performance even within the same games. The team struggles to maintain a consistent rhythm for 90 minutes, showing problems in both its build-up play and defensive organization, and against Kalamata, they lacked intensity in one-on-one battles and an immediate response when the game began to go awry. The responsibility, of course, isn’t limited to the coach alone, but his choices and overall management are inevitably under scrutiny.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The upcoming match against Heraklis now carries much greater significance than just the three points. PAOK fans are expecting an immediate response, both in terms of results and performance, as another loss will further intensify the debate surrounding the coaching staff. The “black-and-whites” remain close to the top, but have slipped to fourth place and know there is little room for further losses, especially given the manner of their defeat against Kalamata.
A change is also expected between the posts. Antonis Tsiftsis was sent off in the previous game and will not be available, while Jiri Pavlenka is coming off a spell out of action. As a result, Dimitris Monastirlis is the most likely candidate to start against Heraklis. For the young goalkeeper, this is a huge opportunity, at a time when the entire PAOK team is called upon to show character and bounce back in a game that could significantly influence the mood going into the next match.
*photo source: KYPE
