Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Sunday, October 19, 2025 23:50 / Updated Monday, October 20, 2025 00:13
The derby of the Romanians in the Greek Super League brought a change at the top of the ranking.
AEK Athens, the team of Răzvan Marin (29 years old), lost at home to PAOK Salonic, the team coached by Răzvan Lucescu (56 years old), score 1-2, in a spectacular and tense match played at “OPAP Arena”.
Răzvan Lucescu, firm message after the victory: “If you keep working, football will give you back”
The Romanian coach spoke at the end of the game about the difficult period his team went through and how PAOK managed to overcome the moments of crisis.
“We got a very important victory, three essential points to continue and second consecutive derby won with a very good performance.
The truth is, the world has been a little unfair to us at a time when things were not going very well and we were not able to score. Basically, we failed to take advantage of the opportunities created.
But if you keep working, football pays you back. Today I controlled the gameAEK had two great chances from set pieces, but we had more chances to score.
The most important thing is that the players believed in their work. They understood that they had to keep working even when the results were not what they wanted.
We are in a good moment now, but we have to keep going. It doesn't matter what comes next, it's just the day-to-day work that matters. This is our way.”
PAOK, the new leader of Greece – the only unbeaten team this season
In the match in Athens, PAOK opened the scoring just before the break, through Abdul Rahman Baba (45'), and at the beginning of the second half Giannis Konstantelias (49') doubled the advantage and established the final score.
Thanks to this victory, PAOK Thessaloniki climbed to first place in the Greek Super League, with 17 points after 7 stages, ahead of AEK Athens (16 points).
Răzvan Lucescu's formation is going through an excellent period. with two consecutive victories in derbies, after the success with Olympiakos (2-1) from the previous stage.
PAOK remain the only unbeaten team in Greece this season. AEK Athens were also unbeaten before kick-off.
For Răzvan Lucescu's team, a new European challenge follows, the trip from France, with Lille, scheduled for Thursday, October 23, in the third stage of the single group in the UEFA Europa League.
Up-to-date standings in the Greek Super League
Up-to-date standings in the Greek Super League
