Tough schedule ahead for PAOK in Greece and Europe

PAOK will be looking to overcome a difficult schedule ahead in the Greek Super League and UEFA Europa League following the international break.

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The gruelling schedule will begin for PAOK with a tricky fixture against newly promoted OFI this weekend and just five days later, their UEFA Europa League campaign begins when English giants and Europa League favourites, Chelsea, are welcomed at the Toumba Stadium.

Following the midweek fixture, PAOK will host champions AEK Athens at the Toumba Stadium in the first derby of the Greek Super League season. It looms as a thrilling encounter as the two teams finished in first and second place in the league last season.

In addition, the same fixture last season was one of the most controversial games that Greek football has seen with PAOK being denied a winning goal that could have given the Dikefalos tou Vora their first league title in 33 years. The fixture was masked by the antics of PAOK owner, Ivan Savvidis, who stormed the pitch with a gun in his holster. Both teams also played off in a tense Greek Cup Final, where PAOK got their revenge to win their second consecutive Cup title.

PAOK will then travel to Piraeus to face rivals Olympiacos, who are hungry to return to the top of Greek football. Both clubs have had a great start to the season, but both will be in the same position by balancing challenging domestic and European fixtures. The derby looms as an enthralling battle between two genuine contenders for this year’s league title.

Just four days later, PAOK will travel away to Belarus to face FC BATE Borisov in matchday two of the UEFA Europa League. It will be a difficult match for the Thessalonikis as FC BATE Borisov currently sit in top spot of their respective league. It is a game in which PAOK must get a result if they want to increase their chances of advancing to the knockout phase of the Europa League.

PAOK must remain focused in both competitions and cannot afford slip ups in the league as three of their rivals Olympiacos, AEK Athens, and ARIS, have all made perfect starts from the first two Super League fixtures. The next few weeks’ results will play a big role in PAOK’s outlook for the season in both Greece and Europe.

PAOK’s Busy Schedule Ahead

September 15, OFI - PAOK, Super League;

September 20, PAOK - Chelsea, Europa League;

September 23, PAOK - AEK, Super League;

September 30, Olympiacos - PAOK, Super League;

October 4, BATE - PAOK, Europa League;

by Athan Stylos

Image Source: to10.gr

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