PAOK came from behind to earn a 2-1 victory away at Atromitos in the Stoiximan Super League thanks to two goals from Dimitris Pelkas.
Rodrigo Nunez had given the home side an early lead against the run of play, but Pelkas struck either side of half-time to secure Alessio Lisi's team their second win from two league matches.
The result provided the response requested by club owner Ivan Savvidis following PAOK's elimination from European competition at the hands of Norwegian side Brann.
Early chances and opening goal
Following an initial ten-minute spell where both teams settled into the match, the visiting side created the first chance of the evening in the 16th minute. Taha Ali produced a fine skill on the left wing and drove into the penalty box, though his shot from a tight angle failed to hit the target and went wide.
PAOK threatened again two minutes later in the 18th minute. Pelkas was unable to control a pass from Ndiaye properly, resulting in an off-target finish from close range.
Despite PAOK controlling the tempo, Atromitos took the lead against the run of play in the 19th minute. Karamanis made a positive run down the right wing, evaded PAOK defender Georgios Hatzidiakos, and played a low cross to Nunez, who provided a neat finish to make it 1-0.
The visitors pressed for an immediate equaliser and came close in the 23rd minute when a long-range shot from left-back Abdul Rahman Baba struck the post before Atromitos goalkeeper Panagiotis Choutesiotis controlled the ball.
PAOK restored parity in the 43rd minute just before the interval. Taha Ali crafted another dangerous opening down the left side before delivering a precise cross for Pelkas, who scored with a diving header past Choutesiotis.
Second half turnaround
PAOK started the second half with similar intensity and created another opening in the 53rd minute, but Pelkas sent his shot wide of the goal.
Atromitos then missed a major opportunity to regain the lead in the 56th minute. Samuel Moutoussamy unleashed a shot that PAOK goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka managed to turn away. Konstantinos Pnevmonidis reacted first to the rebound and was preparing to celebrate, but PAOK defender Giannis Michailidis made a crucial goal-line clearance to keep the score level.
The decisive moment arrived in the 64th minute following sustained pressure inside the Atromitos penalty area. After the home defence struggled to clear their lines, Pelkas reacted to the loose ball and placed a precise shot into the net to complete the 2-1 turnaround.
Alessio Lisi's side managed the remaining stages of the match effectively and generated further opportunities to score a third goal, securing all three points at the final whistle.
Team lineups and competition background
The Stoiximan Super League is the top professional football division in Greece. PAOK, based in the northern city of Thessaloniki, are commonly known as the Black and Whites or the Double-Headed Eagle of the North. Atromitos are based in Peristeri, a municipality in the Athens urban area.
Atromitos were managed by Dusan Kerkez. Their starting lineup featured Panagiotis Choutesiotis in goal, supported by Matthaios Tsakmakis, Jere Uronen, Dimitrios Stavropoulos, Gerasimos Mitoglou, Athanasios Karamanis, Samuel Moutoussamy, Konstantinos Pnevmonidis, Rodrigo Nunez, Steven Zuber, and Giorgos Tsiloulis. Substitutes introduced during the match included Angelos Tsantilas, Hotza, Kotsis, and Magnusson.
PAOK were managed by Alessio Lisi. Their starting lineup comprised goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka alongside Jon Kenny, Aritz Elustondo, Georgios Hatzidiakos, Abdul Rahman Baba, Taylor, Christos Zafeiris, Dimitris Pelkas, Andrija Zivkovic, Taha Ali, and Ndiaye. Giannis Michailidis, Santamaria, Hatsidis, Thymianis, and Mythou were brought on off the bench.
