PAOK held to goalless draw by Maccabi Tel Aviv in Europa League opener

THESSALONIKI, Greece – PAOK were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against Maccabi Tel Aviv in their opening UEFA Europa League group match on Thursday, as the Greek side failed to score for a second straight game for the first time since October 2024.

Unbeaten in their first four Greek Super League fixtures this season, Răzvan Lucescu’s men started brightly at the Stadio Toumbas and came close through Taison, whose fourth-minute effort was pushed away by Roi Mishpati.

Maccabi nearly struck midway through the half when Dor Peretz’s low shot looked destined for the corner before Jiří Pavlenka made a strong save. Clear chances were otherwise scarce before the interval, with Giannis Konstantelias testing Mishpati in the closing stages.

The visitors threatened again after the restart, Kervin Andrade denied by Pavlenka from close range, while PAOK squandered their best opportunity when Mohamed Mady Camara headed straight at the keeper from inside the six-yard box. Substitute Fedor Chalev almost found a late winner, but Mishpati tipped his effort wide in stoppage time.

PAOK, who dominated possession but lacked cutting edge, were left frustrated, while Maccabi will return home satisfied after claiming a hard-earned point away from Greece.