PAOK has taken shape… Lutsescu’s team achieved another major European victory to take the qualifying lead in League 8 of the Conference League. Even a narrow lead against Gent with that 1-0 which still gives him the right to qualify with two results in Belgium.

Accounts certainly remain open, but Dikefalos seems ready to seize the opportunity that comes his way as long as he properly capitalizes on the advantage Kurtic’s goal gives him.

It can go too far

What is certain is that PAOK can make history – again with Lutsescu on the bench – and find themselves in the quarter-finals of a European tournament for the first time since the 1973/74 season.

At that point, of course, Dikefalos had just completed two rounds before taking on Milan in the Cup Winners’ Cup. If he can do that now, he will have achieved a huge overrun starting with the summer qualifiers, reaching the group stage, progressing through the middle round with Midtjylland and his 16th conference clash with Ghent.

The night is ideal for PAOK

The night against Gent in Toumba went… almost perfectly. Even if Lucescu’s team didn’t come into play as strongly as usual, even if they didn’t have a clear chance to score in the first half.

PAOK found a goal – again with Kurtic and again with a foul – and managed to keep Paschalakis’ home intact despite all the dangers. Dikefalos weathered the suspension – with the young Lefteris Lyratzis at the forefront of his defense – and has secured a qualifying lead for the next stage

Jamba tickets for Zivkovic and Kurtic

Everything would be perfect for his coach if he didn’t already suffer two very important absences in view of the second game in Belgium.

Because Zivkovic and Kurtic, both key players at PAOK, could not avoid the yellow card, which deprives them of the right to play in the second game next Thursday.

And to say they couldn’t avoid it? They had to do it based on their quality and experience. The Serb saw a card for protest, Kurtic for a delay… and even a few seconds before Razvan Lucescu replaced him and Stefan Swab replaced. The Slovenian himself admitted his reaction was ‘stupid’ but he can’t help it anymore.

The way in which he bridges the two major absences in view of the second game is expected to concern Razvan Lucescu from tomorrow. It won’t be easy because we’re talking about two footballers who have a great impact on their team, even when Zivkovic isn’t doing well, like in the first game against Gent.

With fighters in the final of Ghent

Here’s the thing, but whoever plays it knows they’re going to do their best. In addition, next Thursday’s game will be a big “final” for PAOK, and what distinguishes Dikefalos in recent years is not least that he manages to win … finals.

And Lucescu himself knows that better than anyone, and that’s why and in his statements he emphasized that he has fighting players who can fill any gap. Finally, the Romanian has the ability to properly handle the situations he has faced and he will do the same in Belgium.

We mustn’t forget that, with the exception of the series against Midtjylland, PAOK traditionally plays the best matches in European competitions away from home. And this year Europe is his big priority.