Dinamo Zagreb vs PAOK Salonika preview

Posted Wednesday, December 15, 2010 by ESPN

Salonika eyeing qualification

PAOK Salonika go on the road in search of the point they need to qualify for the Europa League last 32 with striker Dimitris Salpingidis insisting home form will ultimately dictate how far they can go in the competition.

The Greek side arguably hold the upper hand ahead of the match against Dinamo Zagreb at the Maksimir Stadium, with the hosts needing to win to go through.

Spanish side Villarreal lead the group by a point from PAOK, who won two and drew one of their three home matches in Group D.

Salpingidis, who returned to PAOK in the summer after four years at Panathinaikos, told uefa.com: "We've had some ups and downs.

"We started well and managed to qualify for the Europa League group stage. In the league, results were mediocre at first, but now, after a string of victories, we have climbed the standings.

"We have a good strong team and are very competitive at home. That's why we have a very good chance of progressing to the knockout stages in Europe.

"But it's simple really. If a team are good, if the players are good and if they are able to perform to the best of their abilities, then they can achieve something worthwhile in European competition.''

PAOK have won back-to-back games in the Greek Super League and sit third in the table, 10 points behind leaders Olympiacos.

Defender Stelios Malezas trained on Monday but was not included in the squad for the trip to the Croatian capital by caretaker boss Ioakim Havos, while Bosnian forward Zlatan Muslimovic and Serbian Vladimir Ivic are also unavailable

Dinamo lead the Croatian league by five points and are well rested, having not played since a 3-1 domestic cup win over Osijek on December 9.

Dinamo great Slaven Zambata told dalje.hr: "We need to finally go through, we simply have to. PAOK should not be underestimated - they will be better at the Maksimir Stadium than they were in the first meeting [PAOK won 1-0 on September 30].

"I am a moderately optimistic ahead of the PAOK game. The players will surely be motivated and will play to the very end.

"European games are a special motivation. Players must demonstrate a strong desire, regardless of any problems, so it was in my time.''