Despite taking the lead, PAOK eventually suffered a 3-1 defeat to Celta at Balaídos in Matchday 2 of the Europa League League Phase. This result leaves Razvan Lucescu’s side with just one point.

Giorgos Giakoumakis (37′) opened the scoring for the “black-and-whites,” but the hosts responded with goals from Iago Aspas (45’+2′), Borja Iglesias (53′), and Williot Swedberg (70′) to claim their first win of the season after eight failed attempts in La Liga and Europe.

Conference League: Celje end AEK’s unbeaten run

In Slovenia, AEK’s unbeaten run this season came to an end. Celje defeated the “Double-Headed Eagle” 3-1 in the opening game of the Conference League League Phase, making the perfect start to their campaign.

AEK had taken the lead in the 7th minute through Kutessa, but Celje rallied back with a hat-trick from MVP Franjo Kovacevic (34′, 55′, 80′).

Celje dominated the first half-hour, at times playing dazzling, modern football. AEK’s early goal came fortuitously: Kutessa struck a rather harmless shot from outside the box, which deflected off a defender’s leg, changing course and finding the net by sheer luck.

Shocking home defeat for Panathinaikos against Go Ahead Eagles at OAKA (2-1)

Just a week after their big away win in Bern, Panathinaikos cancelled out that success by suffering a shock defeat at OAKA to Go Ahead Eagles, 2-1, in Europa League League Phase Matchday 2.

The “Greens” went ahead in the 55th minute with a goal from Swiderski but then allowed space to the Dutch side, conceding two goals from Schmidt in the 75th and 82nd minutes to slump to a dispiriting loss.

Panathinaikos started strongly, with their first effort in the 1st minute when Tete’s shot flew over De Busschere’s bar. At 10′, Swiderski turned brilliantly and fired inside the box, but Kramer blocked just in time. At 13′, another Tete strike inside the area was kept out with a superb save by the Dutch goalkeeper.

Four-star AEK Larnaca against AZ Alkmaar

Cypriot football enjoyed a huge boost as AEK Larnaca opened their Conference League League Phase campaign with a stunning 4-0 victory over AZ Alkmaar at the AEK Arena.

Crucial to the win was AZ going down to 10 men almost immediately, as Penetra was sent off with a straight red card in the 2nd minute, leaving the Dutch side undermanned for nearly the entire game.

Omonia undone from the penalty spot

Omonia put in a strong performance against Germany’s Mainz, but an Amiri penalty in the 75th minute was enough to give the visitors a 1-0 win at GSP Stadium and their first three points in the Conference League League Phase.