Article by Aurelian Botezatu – published on Friday, August 22, 2025, 07:27 / Updated on Friday, August 22, 2025 07:27
PAOK, the team prepared by Răzvan Lucescu, lost the first sleeve of the Europa League play-off, in front of Rijeka (0-1).
Despite the failure suffered at Rijeka (0-1), following a goal received in the 39th minute (Menalo), Răzvan Lucescu is optimistic about qualifying in the single group of the Europa League.
Răzvan Lucescu admits: “I did not make the best choices at the end”
“I think the details determined the final result, in a balanced match. They and we had opportunities, but they scored. We did not make the best choices at the end. But we will see ourselves in Thessaloniki.
All the matches are important and, starting with the one against Ael, I expect a dynamic reaction to be full and push us. Let's trust ourselves to change the situation, ”pointed Paok Thessaloniki.
Răzvan Lucescu sounds mobilization: “We must fight for return, there is everything”
At Rijeka, Răzvan believes, Paok made light mistakes, and his team would have been dictated against his team: “One of them cost our goal. I also made bad decisions. I had some good situations, but the last pass was not ok. Rijeka took over with this victory. We have to fight for return, there is everything.
The second match will definitely be different. I noticed a lack of confidence today, maybe we were not completely prepared to play in such an atmosphere, but this could be a false feeling. But next week, playing on Tomba, we will reach our goal. ”
Răzvan Lucescu: “In football, in general, there are no favorites”
However, Lucescu Jr does not think that PAOK is favorite. “Rijeka is a team that plays quality football. In Thessaloniki, the atmosphere will be different, the pressure will be on Rijeka. But in such matches and in football in general there are no favorites.
These are discussions for people and the press. Rijeka represents a country with a deep football culture. But we will exceed our limits in Tomba, ”concluded the Romanian coach.
