PAOK Ozdoev and Chalov in the last round of the general stage of the Europa League fought for a direct ticket to the 1/8 finals. The Greek team was two points behind the top 8. It was necessary to win on the road against the leader, Lyon.
Ozdoev got into the starting lineup for the fifth time in eight rounds. Our midfielder came on as a substitute twice more, and missed one game due to injury. Chalov started the meeting on the bench. The striker has only two starts in the Europa League and four appearances as a substitute. PAOK coach Razvan Lucescu does not believe in Fedor as much as he does in Magomed.
Ozdoev could already take part in the Greek goal in the fifth minute and even score it. Magomed dispersed a counterattack from the center of the field, and then rushed into the Lyon penalty area to close in a cross from the right flank of defender Kenny. The Russian was preparing to shoot, but failed. Konstantelias got in the way of the ball and touched it in vain. Ozdoev shouted to the PAOK talent something like: “What have you done, friend Giannis?!”
Overall the game went smoothly. Lyon had no particular motivation other than maintaining first place. The French got into the top 8 no matter the outcome. It was only in the 15th minute that the first shot on goal was made – it was scored by Weavers forward Moreira. PAOK did not create any scoring chances and did not shoot until the middle of the half. But the Greeks turned their first shot into a goal. The guests earned a corner after Ozdoev’s opening and intensifying pass. Zivkovic played a set piece and then sent it into the penalty area. There the ball ricocheted from the defender into the goalkeeper’s area, and Chalov’s competitor, striker Yakumakis, decided the episode with one touch. This is Georgios’ fourth goal in the general stage and fifth in the Europa League, taking into account qualifications.
“Lyon” — “PAOK”
Фото: Pauline Figuet/Getty Images
“Lyon” took a long time to recover and tried to catch the right rhythm. Only after half an hour of play did Fonseca’s team begin to resemble the European Cup leader. 17-year-old striker Imber ruined a scoring chance (goalkeeper Tsifris made a great save), but a minute later he used a new chance. He opened up in the penalty area to Moreira’s pass and deftly dealt with Kendzera one-on-one. He put the ball under the far post. Remy was playing only his fourth meeting for Lyon, this was his debut goal.
The hosts put pressure on, and PAOK finished the game before the break with only one shot on target. To make matters worse, in the 41st minute the Greeks were down to ten men. This time, Konstantelias let down not just Ozdoev, but the entire team. Having lost the ball in the center of the field, he made a tackle and drove into an opponent. I received a second yellow card and went to the locker room.
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Lyon had the ball and territory for the majority of the game, but the pace of play was slow after the break. PAOK managed to reorganize in defense and close down zones. All the more unexpected was the goal of Fonseca’s team at the end of the hour of the match. 20-year-old Moreira continued to shine on the left flank. The Portuguese carried the ball into the penalty area and sent it to the 18-year-old attacking midfielder Mera. Kendzyora again acted as a grateful spectator. Halis made three touches – he delivered a dribbling shot from under the Pole. This Lyon attack, according to Greek winger Tyson and coach Lucescu, began with a foul on the Brazilian.
The French scored and lost concentration. PAOK did not collapse. The Greeks went ahead with ten men, and in the middle of the second half they came back. Once again the standard came to their rescue. Yakumakis earned a corner from the left, Zivkovic delivered well, and the Frenchman Meite (Ozdoev’s partner in the center of the field) upset his compatriots with a header. Now the “weavers” were already protesting. They claimed that Yakumakis fouled in a duel with Tessmann. However, judging by the replay, the Lyon player overdid it, playing the victim. The VAR referees also decided so.
PAOK deserved a draw as a reward for their will and fighting qualities. He didn’t miss even when Mikhailidis took the penalty out of the blue. The Greek, trying to clear the ball, hit young Imber on the leg. After studying the replay, referee De Burgos Bengoechea pointed to the spot. But the Czech Karabec fired from the 11-meter into the crossbar. However, PAOK did not survive. In the 88th minute, Karabec made amends and scored the winning goal. “Lyon” spun up the attack after Ozdoev failed to snatch the ball in a duel. Magomed’s partners were confused, and the Czech forward scored with two touches.
Chalov never appeared on the field, and Ozdoev was replaced in the 90+1st minute. Magomed’s statistics include 31 touches, 83% of accurate passes, 75% of duels won, three successful defensive actions and five ball losses. Lyon knocked out the Greeks with a fourth goal in stoppage time. Another young man – the fresh 17-year-old forward Gomez – also scored beautifully, twisting the vertebrae of poor Kendziora. Fonseca’s team finished first in the Europa League, while PAOK are in 17th place and will head to the knockouts.
The rights to broadcast the Europa League in Russia belong to the Okko online cinema.
