PAOK Lincoln Red Imps Preview

PAOK Lincoln Red Imps Preview


By Alain Anastasakis 


Thursday night will be a historic match. History in several ways since it will be the first participation of a Greek club in the newly created Conference League, but also a first participation in a European Cup group phase for a club from Gibraltar. 


The context :

The game promises to be totally unbalanced on paper, but PAOK should definitely not underestimate its opponent. 


The mishap against Bohemian or the first leg against Rijeka should prompt PAOK to do much better. A worrying inefficiency which, we hope, was only temporary.


The play and the players:

Following a disastrous performance against PAS Giannina on Sunday, PAOK must come back from the British enclave not only with a result, but also with style. Perhaps this match will finally be the one that allows Lucescu to change his mind. 


The Romanian technician will probably stick to his usual 4-2-3-1 so we may have some surprises in the starting lineup. 


Neither goalkeeper has satisfied the coach so far, so Balomenos could get his first appearance. In the midfield, both Kurtic and Tsiggaras can claim a spot. Mitrita, the new recruit, could start right away like Sidcley on the left or Michailidis in central defense. Akpom could also be lined up instead of Swiderski who looked totally inefficient since the beginning of the season. 


This match is the perfect opportunity to bring fresh blood in to the team while getting the team back on track after a difficult start to the season. An opportunity, also, for The General to return to the basics of his style of play to offer something other than the useless Tiki-Taka he set up last Sunday.

 

The opponent:

Lincoln Red Imps, founded in 1976, holds the national titles record with 25 championships won. The club from the Rock managed to qualify for its first European Cup in its history by eliminating Riga. Of course, I will not claim to be a specialist in Gibraltarian football, but looking at the matches played during their European campaign, It’s certain that we will be up against a team which will have nothing to lose and will be ready to fight to the end as the Irishmen of Bohemian did.


Conclusion:

If Lincoln's motivation will be overboosted by the perspective to play their first game in an European group stage, this is a must win for PAOK. 


A good start, with a large victory, will make things easier. And give a great opportunity to the Dikefalo to launch its European campaign in a very affordable group. 


It's once again on Lucescu's hands. And he knows more than anyone that any other result will be rightfully considered as a disaster. 


Hellas Football 


Follow @alainb_

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