Unstoppable Tzolis fires PAOK past Besiktas
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND
A memorable performance from teenager Christos Tzolis powered PAOK to an exciting 3-1 triumph over Besiktas at home in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League.
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It was certainly a European debut to remember for Tzolis. Showing his potential, the 18-year-old attacker put Besiktas to the sword in the first half of proceedings in Thessaloniki, scoring twice and providing an assist to virtually put the tie to bed in the opening 30 minutes of play. Cyle Larin did get Besiktas on the board at the end of the half, but PAOK saw the game out in the second frame to secure progression to the third qualifying round.
The first, second and third qualifying phases of the 2020/2021 Champions League are being decided in single matches instead of the normal two-legged format as a consequence of the tight schedule.
THE MATCH
PAOK came flying out of the blocks in what was a stunning start.
The Dikefalos tou Vorra put themselves in the box seat within seven minutes. After collecting a pinpoint pass from Stefan Schwab, Dimitris Giannoulis accurately picked out Tzolis, who subsequently fired a wonderful shot into the top right corner.
It soon got better for the gifted teenage PAOK prospect.
Escaping the Besiktas defence, Tzolis connected with Chuba Akpom’s clever ball across the area, turning it beyond the Besiktas goalkeeper from point blank range to double PAOK’s money.
Tzolis’ faultless first half continued in the 30th minute.
On the counter, Tzolis found Pelkas on the right flank, with the latter calmly tapping the ball into the empty net with the goalkeeper already beaten.
However, Besiktas promptly gave themselves a lifeline seven minutes later, as Larin knocked Jeremain Lens’ searching cross beyond the helpless Zivko Zivkovic.
In the 40th minute, PAOK had a golden opportunity to reinstate their three-goal lead, but Akpom was denied by Ersin Destanoglu from the penalty spot after he had been fouled by Welinton.
Besiktas then contrived to miss a fantastic chance at the other end.
Too strong for his marker, Tyler Boyd managed to burst clean through, but he dragged his low shot wide of the left post.
Rodrigo Soares had to be substituted on the brink of half time after receiving an unfortunate injury.
Rapidly increasing their intensity, Besiktas made a strong start to the second stanza, protecting possession and applying pressure on the PAOK back line.
The Turkish visitors immediately came close to a second goal. Displaying his pace, Lens sprinted through with only Zivkovic to beat, but the latter came to PAOK’s rescue with a solid stop.
Oguzhan Ozyakup was the next to miss an opportunity for Besiktas as his dangerous attempt was crucially deflected over the bar by Omar El Kaddouri. On the counter-attack after the ensuing corner, Dimitris Limnios almost calmed PAOK’s nerves with a fourth goal, but his shot was saved by Destanoglu’s legs.
PAOK continued to create chances as Besiktas committed more bodies forward.
On a hat trick, Tzolis tested Destanoglu’s reactions, lashing a strong effort against his palms when in an ideal position inside the box.
With 17 minutes remaining, Fabrice N’Sakala thought he had halved the deficit for Besiktas, but his goal was ruled out for offside as PAOK breathed a deep sigh of relief.
Besiktas threw everything at PAOK in the closing minutes. Nevertheless, apart from a Umut Nayir shot which was directed into the chest of Zivkovic, they failed to trouble the Greek hosts.
THE TEAMS
PAOK: Zivkovic, Michailidis, Varela, Ingason, Giannoulis, Rodrigo (Limnios 44’), Schwab, El Kaddouri, Pelkas (Esiti 76’), Tzolis (Jaba 84), Akpom.
Besiktas: Destanoglu, N’Sakala (Nayir 82’), Silva, Vida, Lens, Hutchinson, Uysal, Nkoudou, Mensah (Tokoz 69’), Boyd (Ozyakup 46’), Larin.
