Twice in history, PSV played a knockout round of the UEFA Cup against PAOK Saloniki. Both times, PSV came out on top. Just under 20 years after the last encounter, the two teams face each other again in a European context. Gracenote found out all about the upcoming duel.
No guarantees
In the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 seasons, PSV won the duel with the Greeks fairly easily. Over two duels, the club won the knockout rounds 4-0 and 6-4, respectively. Nevertheless, the past never gives guarantees for the future, but in this one there should be no underestimation at PSV. After all, PAOK Saloniki narrowly missed the group stage of the Champions League this season. Dutchman Diego Biseswar's team eliminated Portuguese superpower Benfica 5-2 in the preliminary round over two games. Russia's FC Krasnodar proved too big for the Greeks in the final preliminary round of the Champions League.
Outsides lie PSV well
The last three away matches in European context were all won by PSV. After victories over NS Mura, Rosenborg BK and Omonia Nicosia, PSV can grab its fourth consecutive away win in a European match at PAOK Saloniki. The last time PSV managed this was between September 2011 and February 2012. In general, PSV is doing well in European away matches. Only Red Bull Salzburg has won more often in the main tournament of the Europa League away from home than PSV. The Austrians' tally stands at seventeen, PSV follows with fourteen.
Malen and Ihattaren in the picture
European matches are wasted on Donyell Malen. In his last six European games, the PSV attacker scored no fewer than eight goals. After his two important goals in Nicosia last week, the goal tally for Malen in European away games stands at nine. Together with Willy van der Kuijlen, this makes him PSV's record holder. Mo Ihattaren could become the teenager with the most European matches on behalf of PSV this Europa League season. Zakaria Labyad played 12 European games for PSV before his 19th birthday and Ihattaren can match that on Thursday, provided he gets playing time.