PAOK’s two away games against Panathinaikos explained in the most impressive way why Razvan Lucescu insisted so much on taking over from Nelson Oliveira in the summer of 2021.

In fact, the Portuguese striker is the only footballer to have been asked by name by the Romanian coach in his second – and presumably his first – tenure at PAOK.

The work done by Oliveira in the two games against Panathinaikos, in which he scored just one goal – and that from the penalty spot -, had two posts and plenty of finishes showed exactly what Lucescu meant when he argued when there is a striker , who he can do the job he wants on the pitch, he is none other than the Portuguese.

He emerged victorious in almost every duel he had with one of the Panathinaikos centre-backs who opposed him. He had impressive possession and breaks for his teammates and helped create space for his team’s midfielders.

His collaboration with Constantelia is impeccable

With the perfect partnership he has found with Yiannis Konstantelias since Louchesku brought the young midfielder close to the Portuguese, PAOK has become very prolific in creating phases and is very difficult to deal with.

Oliveira’s performances have rightly caused many to wonder how different PAOK’s course would have been over the past 18 months had he not suffered such a serious injury before the start of last year’s championship.

What does the future of the 31-year-old striker look like? His contract expires in the summer but it’s more than a given that Lucescu will suggest staying at Toumba for years to come.

Lucescu wants players who support his plan

After all, the PAOK coach has shown that he insists to the last on footballers who, like Oliveira, support his plan on the pitch, and the examples of this are numerous. The problem is that the administration will try to implement the coach’s proposal from a financial point of view.

The Portuguese, who already justified the reputation as a tough negotiator during talks about his move to PAOK, currently has one of the biggest contracts in Dikefalo.

The goal is for the Portuguese striker to stay in Toumba for a long time

Talks to extend the contract have not yet started and are expected to take place at the end of the season. What is certain is that Oliveira suits PAOK and the team that Razvan Lucescu wants to build is a perfect match for the Portuguese striker.

The cooperation of both sides is flawless despite the difficulties that have arisen for both of them due to his serious injury and logically the wish to continue the cooperation is shared.

Perhaps the striker who will flank Oliveira will play an important role in the development of things, the search for him has already been started by the PAOK people.

After six years, Panathinaikos’ Sokratis Dioudis, who announced his move to Poland’s Zaglebie Lubin on Friday afternoon (27 January), is a thing of the past.

A few hours later, after the presentation of his new team, the Greek goalkeeper wanted to say goodbye to Kleeblatt with an emotional post on his Instagram account.

Sokratis Dioudis wrote at length:

“Today a big chapter of my life and career ends. Almost 6 years in a team is half a football life. Panathinaikos gave me the opportunity to play at the highest level I could play in the country and I will be forever grateful .

I always aim high, but to make so many appearances and to be one of the captains of this great club is a great honor that I certainly could not have imagined a few years ago.

What remains in the end is the love and appreciation of the ordinary people, the pure fans of the team, and judging by the love I’ve received all along, I can say I’m leaving wholeheartedly, knowing that my efforts and sacrifices are not lost, but I also left my mark.

I would like to thank all the people I have worked on the team with over the years and all of them have helped me in their position and I am very happy to call some of them my friends now.

A big thank you to the people who have always been by our side, who have supported us in difficult times, because that is what he knows and must continue to do, in joys and sorrows, to be with the team.

Life has a weird way of reciprocating behavior, be it good or bad. At the end of the journey everyone gets what they deserve.

Thanks for everything Panathinaike! You’re a part of my heart now.”

It’s going to be a hot summer for AEK, perhaps the most complicated of recent years, especially if the team continues at the same pace, presenting the same attractive football and helping their players develop their repertoire in a way that stands out abroad.

It is very rare that such congestion is caused around football players of a team while they have not yet competed with it in European competition this year.

Stuttgart’s interest in him Mijat Gacinovic it’s real and intense. AEK officials yesterday conceded that the Serbian midfielder has already had two attacks from foreign clubs, presumably the second from a Bundesliga side. You know him well there, having made 195 competitive appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt and Hoffenheim.

The fact that the Union closed its doors at this point is logical and expected. Players of such value, quality and utility will not be replaced at the end of the winter transfer window unless someone appears to give €10m. And in this case, however, AEK would only discuss it with a view to next summer.

Gacinovic is not the only one. In Spain they give and take the tweets and reports of interest from Villarreal watching him Levi Garcia. According to what is written there, the club in question is expected to submit a purchase proposal.

Of course, there is no discussion about credit. According to the current situation, for someone to get Levia, it has to reach 15 million euros. Let’s not forget that 40% of the player’s rights – out of the €2.4m+ spent by AEK to acquire it – belong to Beitar Jerusalem

Anderlecht’s interest in him is also alive Lazaro Rota. The international right-back has been under observation by the Belgian club for about a month, but without being approached by AEK.

But the player’s agent is aware of this and perhaps this interest will lead to a new deal for Rota with the Union. This is also subject to discussion.

THE Damian Szymanski is another team player discussed in Belgium specifically as a target for Standard Liège, not forgetting the ‘hot potato’ Orbelin Pinedawho doesn’t belong to AEK, but wants him to stay, is looking for a way to convince both Telta and himself.