Slovan wants to come to life in the tomb. The loss in Thessaloniki tasted sweet to him – PRAVDA.sk

Legends are told about the stadium in Thessaloniki. Fans can unleash hell in the stands, which has often helped their pets, but also complicated life.

Photo: TASR, Pavel Neubauer

August 2019. Vernon De Marco (left) celebrates a goal scored in Thessaloniki with Myenty Aben.

The stand of the popular Greek club PAOK is called Toumba, which means tomb…

When the players run out on the field, the song Hells Bells from the AC / DC group usually sounds. Infernal bells. Slavic footballers must prepare for the wild environment even in pandemic times.

They will start in the second match of the F-group of the Conference League on Thursday from 21.00. So far they have not been very successful in the cups this season, they have won two out of nine matches. They believe that they will come to life in the “tomb” and score.

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“We know what awaits us. Great spectators and turbulent environment. I’m looking forward to the match because we play better with stronger opponents.

We often bother with the weaker on paper. We can bring a point from Thessaloniki, maybe even win. I trust our team, “says coach Vladimír Weiss.

More than two years ago, the Slavs sensationally passed over this opponent to the group of the European League.

He was saved by the defenders’ goals. At home, they won the Aben in the set time 1: 0. After a short tussle with the defender, Yuri Medvedev finally tucked the ball home.

“You may score such a goal once in your career, I appreciate it very much,” recalls Slovana defender.

The guests lost 2: 3, but the exact hits by the opponent moved them into the group.

“It was a sweet loss,” De Marco said.

PAOK fired 28 shots at Greif’s goal, winning 18: 2 at the corners. He had an overwhelming advantage, but Slovan survived.

“Most of us played in Thessaloniki two years ago. Knowing that we have eliminated PAOK can help us prepare. But it will be a completely different match.

We have to be absolutely responsible, focused, follow tactical instructions and run a lot. I believe that if we complete the tasks on the field, we have a chance to score, “said Medvedev on the club’s website.

At that time, Slovan competed against the team that had won the title with confidence shortly before – after a long 34 years. Without a single loss, with a five-point lead over Olympiakos Piraeus. And he also won the Greek Cup.

He may have had the title a year before, but in the spring of 2018 he was boiled by the controversial club owner Ivan Savvidis. After an unrecognized goal with AEK, he ran into the area with a pistol in his hand. The referee ended the fight prematurely. The team deducted three points and Savvidis had to pay a fine of 100,000 euros…

Slovan met its Greek opponent – Olympiakos Piraeus in August. In the playoffs of the European League, he lost 0: 3 on his soil, a 2: 2 draw was born at home. Olympiakos currently leads the Greek league table, the point behind it is PAOK.

In the opening round of the F-group Slovan lost to Copenhagen (1: 3), PAOK dealt with Gibraltar Lincoln (2: 0).

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Weiss wants the team to perform boldly:

“We have to show more quality in front. We want to play offensively, we have several types of players that are not suitable for a defensive way of playing.

I believe that we will play a good match, we will see what we have to do. The first half with Copenhagen we showed the best performance I have in Slovan.

Players have the potential, if I can squeeze out what is in them, the team can be successful in the future. “