The League Phase of the UEFA Europa League kicks off, with PAOK hosting Maccabi Tel Aviv at Toumba on Wednesday evening (24/9, 19:45), aiming for a win that will restore calm after recent poor results.

The atmosphere at “Mikra Asia” is far from ideal following the team’s last two results. Last Wednesday (17/9), PAOK suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Levadiakos in the Cup, and on Saturday (20/9) was held to a goalless draw at home against Panetolikos — their first dropped points in the Super League after three straight wins. Razvan Lucescu doesn’t seem overly concerned, but nobody wants a third setback in a row.

PAOK starting with:
Pavlenka, Kędziora, Kenny, Michailidis, Baba, Ozdoev, Meïté, Zivković, Konstantelias, Taison, Giakoumakis.

The 56-year-old Romanian coach has no major issues, with Dimitris Pelkas the only absentee due to a muscle injury; he is expected back in about a month. The “black and whites” are also looking for some payback against Maccabi Tel Aviv, who eliminated them in the 2004 UEFA Champions League qualifiers with two defeats (0-3 and 0-1). Against other Israeli clubs, however, PAOK remains unbeaten with five wins and three draws.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s 26 league titles and 24 domestic cups speak for themselves. Žarko Lazetić’s team may have been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers by Pafos (1-1 away, 0-1 home), but in the Europa League they overcame Hamrun Spartans (3-1 home, 2-1 away) and Dynamo Kyiv (3-1 home, 0-1 away). Earlier, they had lost the Super Cup to Hapoel Be’er Sheva (2-1), but results have improved since.

Maccabi leads the Israeli Ligat ha’Al with four wins in four games, scoring 14 and conceding 2. Their latest victory came on Saturday with a 2-1 win over Hapoel Jerusalem, despite being reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute (Roi Revivo’s red card) and immediately falling behind on the scoreboard. The 43-year-old Serbian coach has no significant concerns, with only striker Ion Nicolaescu doubtful. He relies heavily on the form of Dor Peretz (7 goals, 1 assist) and Eido Shahar (5 goals, 2 assists).

Around 250 traveling fans will support the Israeli side at Toumba, amid ongoing controversy surrounding the potential exclusion of Israeli clubs and the national team from European and international competitions.

Referee: Sven Jablonski (Germany).