Europa Conference League Preview: PAOK -v- Bohemians

PAOK

Greek giants PAOK will be looking to avoid their own Greek tragedy as they take on Bohemians in the second-leg of their Europa Conference League tie tonight (kick-off is at 6pm).

PAOK halved the deficit last week thanks to a Nelson Oliveira header with just over ten minutes to play at a raucous Aviva Stadium.

And despite their deficit, their confidence is unwavering as they get set to take on Bohs inside their own home cauldron.

“It was the perfect week for us,” PAOK boss Razvan Lucescu said.

“We worked just right, we talked. Everything that needs to be done has been done. We talked about responsibility, which is important.

“We need to learn to fight every day in order to get better.

“Mistakes were made due to lack of patience. We lost several opportunities, while the opponent few.

“This created a mentality problem for us. I believe tomorrow we will be better. We will have better reactions and we will not make mistakes.

“I heard a lot of analysis about the game in Ireland. I do not completely agree. It is not that simple.

“I think the defeat came mainly due to the lack of confidence and the right mentality that I explained to you before.”

In terms of team news for PAOK, they will be without winger Christos Tzolis who left the club to join Premier League side Norwich City for a fee of 12m Euro.

BOHEMIANS

Bohs will be hoping to continue their fairy-tale Europa Conference League journey when they take on PAOK in the daunting Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki tonight.

The Gypsies were full value for their first-leg win at the Aviva Stadium last week, despite suggestions made by PAOK since.

And that narrative may prove to go in their favour once more as they look to shock their Greek opponents again on the biggest stage of all.

“There is no pressure on us. PAOK are the team expected to progress,” Bohemians boss Keith Long said during his press conference last night (quotes via the42.ie).

“We recognise that we are stepping up a level with the opposition. They are a high-ranking team, they have big budgets, big resources.

“We are a small team from a small country and there is no pressure on us other than the pressure we put on ourselves to perform.”

Long added: “Of course, we are stepping up a level to the opposition but it’s 11 v 11. They’re not immortal so we have to bring our best performance and the best version of ourselves every time we play.

“We trust in what we do and what we’re about, our processes, I know you have heard that a number of times over this European campaign but that’s what we have to do, trust and believe in ourselves.

“There’s no point in going to places and having ambitions to progress in Europe if you can’t come to places like this and give a good account of yourselves.”

Promise Omochere and Stephen Mallon are expected to remain as doubts.

Referee: Julian Weinberger (Austria).

BETTING

PAOK 1/8; Draw 6/1; PAOK 11/1.

PREDICTION

PAOK 2 - 1 Bohemians (Bohs to go through on penalties)

PAOK

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Promise Omochere, Stephen Mallon.

Suspended: None.