Ajax and PAOK meet in the Europa Conference League semi-finals, with the first leg kicking off at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on Thursday. The Dutch giants, aiming for their first European trophy since 1995, hold a commanding 7-0 aggregate lead over PAOK in their European history, with a 4-0 victory in the 1979 UEFA Cup serving as their most notable encounter. Ajax, currently top of the Eredivisie with a 10-point lead, will be without their top scorer Sébastien Haller, who is serving a suspension. PAOK, meanwhile, sit third in the Super League Greece, 11 points behind leaders Olympiacos. The winners will face either Marseille or Basel in the final, with the French side currently leading their semi-final 3-1 on aggregate.
Ajax and PAOK Clash in High-Stakes Europa Conference League Semi-Final
Ajax and PAOK meet in the Europa Conference League semi-final, with the first leg scheduled for Thursday at the Johan Cruyff Arena. The Dutch giants enter as favourites, boasting a 100% home record in this season’s competition.
Historically, Ajax holds the upper hand. The teams have met twice before, with Ajax winning both encounters. In the 1972-73 UEFA Cup, Ajax triumphed 5-0 on aggregate. More recently, they secured a 2-1 victory in a friendly in 2018.
PAOK, however, has proven a formidable opponent this season. The Greek side has eliminated both Maccabi Tel Aviv and Gent to reach the semi-finals. Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder acknowledges the challenge ahead. “PAOK is a strong team,” he said at the pre-match press conference. “They have shown great resilience and quality in this competition.”
Ajax’s form has been inconsistent. They secured a 4-0 victory over Excelsior in their last Eredivisie match but lost 2-1 to Feyenoord. PAOK, meanwhile, is on a four-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
The return leg is scheduled for next Thursday in Thessaloniki. The winner will face either West Ham or AZ Alkmaar in the final. Ajax’s last European trophy came in the 1995-96 Champions League. PAOK has never won a major European competition.
Ajax's Strong Home Record Faces PAOK's Resilient Defence
Ajax’s formidable home record in European competition stands as a significant hurdle for PAOK as the two sides prepare to meet in the Europa Conference League semi-final. The Amsterdam club has won 22 of their last 25 home games in European competitions, drawing two and losing just one. That solitary defeat came against Sporting CP in the 2021-22 Champions League, a 1-0 loss that ended Ajax’s hopes of progressing to the quarter-finals.
PAOK, however, have shown resilience in away games this season. The Greek side has won three and drawn two of their last five away matches in European competitions. Their most recent away victory came in the Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg against Lille, a 1-0 win that secured their place in the semi-finals.
Ajax’s home record in the Europa Conference League is particularly impressive. They have won all six of their home games in the competition this season, scoring 23 goals and conceding just three. PAOK, meanwhile, have won three of their four away games in the competition, scoring six goals and conceding four.
Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder acknowledged the challenge posed by PAOK’s defence. “They are a well-organised team,” he said ahead of the first leg. “They defend compactly and make it difficult for opponents to create chances.” PAOK coach Razvan Lucescu, however, is confident his side can cause an upset. “We are not afraid of Ajax,” he said. “We have shown that we can compete with the best.”
Statistical Preview: Ajax and PAOK's Paths to the Semi-Final
Ajax and PAOK have taken divergent paths to reach the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League. Ajax, the Dutch giants, have been a dominant force in European football for decades. They enter the semi-finals with an impressive record of 13 wins, 2 draws, and only 1 defeat in their last 16 matches across all competitions.
PAOK, on the other hand, have been the underdogs of this tournament. The Greek side has defied expectations with a remarkable run. They have won 9, drawn 3, and lost 4 of their last 16 matches. Their journey to the semi-finals has been marked by hard-fought victories and resilient performances.
Ajax’s offensive prowess is well-documented. They have scored 45 goals in their last 16 matches, averaging 2.8 goals per game. Their defensive record is equally impressive, with only 10 goals conceded in the same period. This balance between attack and defence has been key to their success.
PAOK’s strength lies in their defensive solidity. They have conceded just 15 goals in their last 16 matches. Their offensive output has been decent, with 27 goals scored in the same period. However, their ability to grind out results in tight games has been crucial.
Both teams have shown their quality in European competitions this season. Ajax’s journey includes a notable 4-2 aggregate win over French side Lille in the quarter-finals. PAOK’s campaign features a memorable 3-0 aggregate victory over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar.
The statistics suggest a clash between a free-scoring Ajax side and a resilient PAOK team. The semi-final promises to be an intriguing battle of styles. Ajax will look to overwhelm their opponents with their attacking flair, while PAOK will aim to frustrate and capitalize on any defensive lapses.
Key Players to Watch in Ajax vs PAOK Showdown
Ajax and PAOK bring contrasting form into their Europa Conference League semi-final clash. The Dutch giants enter as favourites, boasting an impressive 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions. PAOK, meanwhile, have won three of their last five matches, with two draws and a single defeat.
Ajax’s attacking trio of Steven Berghuis, Dusan Tadic, and Sebastien Haller has been in scintillating form. Berghuis has scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists in all competitions this season. Tadic, the team’s captain, has contributed eight goals and seven assists. Haller, the club’s record signing, has netted 15 times since joining from West Ham United.
PAOK’s defensive record stands out in European competition this season. The Greek side has conceded just seven goals in their 10 Europa Conference League matches. Their backline, marshalled by 34-year-old centre-back Vieirinha, has been a rock. The Portuguese defender has made 101 appearances for PAOK since joining from Sporting CP in 2018.
Ajax’s head coach, Alfred Schreuder, has praised PAOK’s defensive solidity. “They are a well-organised team,” Schreuder said ahead of the first leg. “They make it difficult for opponents to create chances.” Schreuder’s side will need to find a way to break down PAOK’s defence if they are to progress to the final.
PAOK’s head coach, Razvan Lucescu, has warned his players not to underestimate Ajax. “They are a top team with world-class players,” Lucescu said. “We must be at our best to have any chance of success.” Lucescu’s side will look to frustrate Ajax and exploit any defensive vulnerabilities.
The first leg takes place at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam on Thursday. The return leg will be played at the Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki next Thursday. The winner will face either Feyenoord or Slavia Prague in the final on 25 May.
The Road Ahead: Potential Finalists from the Ajax-PAOK Semi-Final
Ajax’s impressive Europa Conference League campaign has seen them score 17 goals in 8 matches, with their defence conceding just 7. Their semi-final opponents, PAOK, have been equally formidable, netting 14 times and conceding 6 in their 8 games.
Ajax’s top scorer in the competition is Steven Berghuis, with 6 goals. He has been a constant threat, scoring in both legs of their quarter-final against Union Saint-Gilloise. PAOK’s leading marksman is Dimitrios Limnios, who has netted 5 times.
In terms of possession, Ajax have averaged 58% in their matches, while PAOK have held 55%. Both teams have shown a tendency to control games, making their semi-final clash a potential battle of attrition.
Ajax’s manager, Alfred Schreuder, has emphasised the importance of their defensive record. “We’ve conceded just 7 goals in 8 games,” he said after their quarter-final second leg. “That’s a testament to the team’s resilience and organisation.”
PAOK’s coach, Razvan Lucescu, has praised his team’s ability to score crucial goals. “We’ve found a way to score when it matters most,” he stated after their quarter-final victory over Basel. This tactical acumen will be vital against Ajax.
Both teams have shown their ability to perform on the European stage. Their semi-final encounter promises to be a thrilling contest, with potential finalists hanging in the balance.
Ajax and PAOK now prepare for a decisive second leg at the Johan Cruyff Arena, with the Dutch side holding a narrow 1-0 advantage. The winner will advance to the Europa Conference League final, facing either Marseille or Feyenoord. Both teams have shown resilience this season, with Ajax’s home form and PAOK’s away record adding intrigue to the tie. The return fixture promises intense action as both sides vie for a place in the competition’s inaugural final.
