Article by Aurelian Botezatu – published Monday, September 15, 2025, 08:12 / Updated Monday, September 15, 2025 08:13
PAOK won in Crete, against Offic (2-1), and with 3 victories in the first 3 stages are in 3rd place in the standings.
Răzvan Lucescu's white and white began as “Nikolaidis Stadium” began. After the first half hour they already had 2-0 on the table, through the goals scored by Ozdoev, in the 10th minute, and by Pelkas, in the 24th minute.
But after the resumption, PAOK relaxed. Zivkovic had the opportunity of 0-3, but he missed the penalty that would have spared the guests of emotions (min. 66). And later, things were complicated. Nuss reduced the handicap in the 75th minute, so the last quarter of an hour was on the edge of the knife.
Răzvan Lucescu: “If we scored the third goal …”
This was also the reason why Răzvan Lucescu was not fully satisfied. “If we had scored the third goal, things would have been much easier for us. I gave Hope to Insor, who scored and pressed“, Commented PAOK's coach.
Then he detailed: “I played well, intelligent and balanced. I am very pleased from this point of view, but, at the same time, I am a little disappointed because we could not make the match easier and get a higher score. Apart from the missed penalty, we had other great occasions.”
Răzvan Lucescu: “Now we are more focused, that's the difference”
Finally, Lucescu Junior also offered an explanation for PAOK's perfect start, with three wins in the first 3 stages. “The difference of this season does not consist in the very good defensive organization, but in the minds of all those who give everything for the team. When you have a concentration in this process, balance also appears, in all compartments“, Commented the Romanian technician.
PAOK has 9 points and is on the forefront of the ranking with Olympiakos and AEK Athens, but it has a weaker goal. Plus 3, compared to plus 9 (Olympiakos) and plus 4 (AEK).
