The Thessaloniki giants put up a valiant effort, though were ultimately overwhelmed by the might of Manchester United as they were handed a defeat at their famous home of Old Trafford.
PAOK lost 0-2 to the Red Devils on Friday morning (AEDT) in the fourth matchday of the UEFA Europa League’s League Phase, keeping them stuck on four points earned so far.
The English giants took the lead in the 50th minute of the clash when winger Amad Diallo headed in Bruno Fernandes’ cross into the bottom left.
Diallo then made it two with a long-range effort in the 77th minute, curling the ball into the left side of the net.
Olympiacos played out a 1-1 draw against Rangers at “Georgios Karaiskakis” Stadium to move to seven points after four matchdays, maintaining their spot just behind the Scottish giants on the ladder based on goal difference.
The “red-whites” struck first in the 56th minute when chief marksman Ayoub El Kaabi hit the ball sweetly into the top right corner off the post.
The visitors managed to equalise just eight minutes later through striker Cyriel Dessers, who found the bottom left corner with an excellent finish (64′).
Panathinaikos’ European campaign is in serious strife after failing to win again in the third matchday of the UEFA Conference League (UECL), this time losing 2-1 away to Djurgarden.
The Greens went in front in the 17th minute in spectacular fashion, with playmaker Filip Djuricic striking the ball on the volley from behind his body into the back of the net.
The Swedish side made it level four minutes after the break, thanks to a finish from forward Tobias Gulliksen (49′).
The hosts then went ahead themselves after a quick counter-attack saw striker Deniz Hummet convert a one-on-one opportunity with Bartlomiej Dragowski, with the goal awarded by VAR after an initial offside call (74′).
The outcome keeps Panathinaikos on just one point earned from their first three UECL games, putting them in serious contention of not progressing to the knockout stage.
APOEL scored a remarkable 2-0 home result against last year’s UECL finalists Fiorentina to earn their first win in the competition’s League Phase.
Forward Anastasios Donis gave the Cypriot side the lead in the 37th minute, a lead that was doubled right before the break by midfielder David Abagna (45+1′).
The Italian club halved the deficit through winger Jonathan Ikone’s goal (74′), though it was not enough to prevent an historic victory for APOEL.
Paphos secured a well-earned 1-0 home triumph over Astana to seal their second win of their UECL campaign.
The hosts dominated proceedings throughout the contest, but it was not until the 87th minute that they broke through the travellers’ defence via a header from substitute forward Anderson Silva.
Omonia suffered a 0-1 away defeat to KAA Gent to remain on three points from their three outings.
The game’s winning goal came in the 31st minute after a long ball found midfielder Omri Gandelman, who then guided the ball into the back of the net.
