Premiere with demands for PAOK with Panaitolikos who Loucheskou takes over

PAOK enter the struggle of the Super League bearing the open wounds left by the shameful exclusion from European competitions.

The truth is that nothing shocking has happened in the three weeks that have passed since the fight with Levski that could change the climate of introversion that prevails in Toumba.

With transfers more or less stagnant, despite needing quality additions to the squad, Dikefalos desperately needs to win the league opener against Panaitolikos (21:45, Novasports Prime and Live from Sportish) in order not to increase the feeling of doubt created by his image in the two games against the Bulgarians.

PAOK need a positive start to their Championship signings and will try as Razvan Lucescu has to deal with several absentee problems.

The Dikefalo coach does not count on the injured Tsingaras, Michaelidis and Nesberg, but also on the suspended Vieirinia and Zivkovic, and he also missed out on Rafa Soares, who recovered from injury but was deemed unprepared.

“Plays” a position on the axis

Kotarski will be in goal and in defense where most problems are found, the Romanian coach will start Lyratzis on the right flank, Ingason and Karga on the stoppers and Tsaousis on the left. The youngster, who has made a good impression in the friendlies, has a chance to show in the league premiere.

Dandas, Augusto and one of Kurtić or Schwab will play in central midfield. Logically, the first two will alternate in the “ten”. It remains to be seen how both Augusto and the Slovenian, who seemed on the verge of leaving Toumba following his disqualification from Levski, will handle it.

Leading the attack is Nelson Oliveira, with Narey starting on the right flank instead of the suspended Zivkovic and Bisesvar on the left side of midfield.

What is certain is that the league premiere is particularly demanding for Lucescu and the players, who have to show from the start that they go into the domestic competitions with aspirations.