AE Larissa vs PAOK Saloniki Match Preview
Larisa will have wanted to be in better form heading into this weekend’s match with PAOK in their inaugural match at the new AEL FC Arena. Larisa’s new home is a state-of-the-art facility boasting 17,000 and is a unique feat when compared to other Greek clubs.
Moving to the Arena couldn’t have come at a better time as Larisa head into the match against PAOK dead-last in the league and without a coach. Giannis Papakostas and the club parted ways this week in a mutual decision and the search as to who will replace him is still ongoing.
PAOK aren’t exactly in the best shape either ahead of their visit to Larisa. Last weekend’s 1-0 home loss to Atromitos was particularly stinging as the club were outplayed for large periods. Makis Chavos began his reign with six consecutive wins in all competition, but the pressure is now on having lost two Super League matches in a row.
AE Larissa vs PAOK Saloniki Match Report
Larisa’s first match at their new AEL FC Arena ended in defeat as they went down to PAOK 2-1. It was a defeat that kept Larisa in last place. PAOK took the lead by producing the first ever goal at the AEL FC Arena. Pablo Contreras played a one-two and then fired the ball into the net. Larisa equalized under fortuitous circumstances just minutes later when Daniel Cousin took advantage of a big mistake by Kostas Chalkias and made it 1-1.
Larisa looked to be in control the rest of the way and the team squandered several opportunities to establish a lead. PAOK punished the home team for this less than 20 minutes from time. Substitute Stefanos Klaus Athanasiadis snatched the winner with his first touch of the match after a terrific through ball from Cristiano Moraes. It was a goal that put PAOK back into 3rd in the standings and heaped more misery on a disastrous season thus far for Larisa.