The arrival of Rémy Cabella allowed Russia to take a small advantage over Thessaloniki.
Rémy Cabella’s touch gave Krasnodar a credit in his first UEFA Champions League play-off match against PAOK.
Matvei Safonov stored a penalty for Dimitris Pelkas from the start, but the striker made up for his mistake by passing Andrija ‘ivkovic’s ball past Safonov to give PAOK the lead. However, a foul in the area at the other end resulted in a kick before the break; Viktor Claesson also sent his effort straight to the center, but his penalty discovered the goal.
PaOK looked brilliant at the beginning of the middle of the moment, Omar El Kaddouri crashed the pole with a shot in the 68th minute, but soon after advanced. Marcus Berg knocked down goalkeeper ‘ivko’ ivkovi’ when Krasnodar made a counterattack inside the area, and Cabella hit the ball in the unprotected net.
Shaken in the back, Krasnodar left too much room for visitors and looked disorganized after wasting possession. With the Bulls not appearing much in front, PAOK emerged as the most productive before half-time and also controlled the game afterwards. it’s all that matters, but Krasnodar will have to do some homework if necessary for that advantage.
PAOK may have learned much more from this meeting. They squandered a penalty, hit the pole and ended up wasting despite their headbutt in Russia. They still have 90 minutes to change course in Thessaloniki next week, and today they proved they have what it takes to do so. of this party, were inside and controlled to involve Krasnodar’s impressive front line.
PAOK striker Dimitris Pelkas: “We didn’t deserve to lose. Both matches will have to be played with a clear head to avoid mistakes. We will paint hard and do our best for opposite equality. We are desperate to do everything PAOK has” never achieved before and to qualify for the UEFA Champions League organizational level. “
Abel Ferreira, PAOK coach: “We had a smart game, with an express tactical technique that was worth most of the time against a high-quality offensive team. We created occasions but couldn’t get them all. We’re sure of ourselves. that we’ll play better on the lap and qualify. It’s an even game between two groups that liked to create occasions. He won the team that changed the most of his own. “
Krasnodar: Safonov; Ramirez, Sorokin, Kaio, Petrov; Vilhena, Olsson, Cabella (Utkin 81); Claesson, Berg, Wanderson (Suleymanov 86)
PAOK: ‘ivko’ ivkovi’, Michailidis, Varela, Ingason, Crespo; Giannoulis, Schwab, El Kaddouri, Andrija ‘ivkovi’; Pelkas (Biseswar 79), Tziolis
The return match will be played in Thessaloniki on Wednesday, September 30. The winner will participate in the UEFA Champions League organizing level draw at Nyon on 1 October.