PAOK vs Aberdeen

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PAOK is determined to maintain their flawless record in the Europa Conference League when they face Aberdeen this Thursday.

Aberdeen has managed to secure just one point from their three Group B games, and their hopes of staying in the competition may be extinguished if they don't secure a victory in their match in Greece.

In contrast, PAOK can secure their advancement to the knockout stage with two games to spare by achieving a fourth consecutive victory in this third-tier European competition. They recently secured a 3-2 win in Scotland two weeks ago. Notably, Aberdeen had initially led 2-0 within the first hour of the match, but late goals from Kiril Despodov and Vierinha, along with a Stefan Schwab penalty conversion in injury time, left the home team devastated at Pittodrie.

PAOK enters the return fixture with high confidence after defeating Olympiacos 4-2 in an away game in the Greek Super League last Sunday, which brought them within one point of their second-placed rivals. It's worth noting that Panathinaikos still maintains a four-point lead at the top of the league table.

PAOK has a strong history in this competition, having reached the quarter-finals in the inaugural season two years ago, although they were eliminated by Marseille at this stage with a 3-1 aggregate score. Their manager, Razvan Lucescu, who took charge at the beginning of that season, believes that they can potentially achieve even greater success this time.

Aberdeen, however, finds themselves in a unique position as they participate in the group stage of a European competition for the first time since their exit from the third round of the UEFA Cup courtesy of Bayern Munich during the 2007-08 season.

Despite their valiant efforts in losses against PAOK and Eintracht Frankfurt, the latter being the 2022 Europa League champions, Barry Robson and his team may feel somewhat unlucky with just one point on their tally. Their 1-1 draw at home against HJK Helsinki has been particularly costly in terms of their aspirations to advance to the knockout rounds.

Nonetheless, they haven't given up hope entirely, especially after a confidence-boosting 1-0 victory over Hibernian, setting up a League Cup final clash against Rangers next month. It's worth noting that Aberdeen, renowned for their 1983 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup triumph under the leadership of the legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, hasn't secured a trophy in a decade. So, they are understandably thrilled at the prospect of causing an upset against the formidable Glasgow giants at Hampden Park.

In the interim, they must defy the odds to secure a full three points in Thessaloniki. Failing that, and without an improbable assist from HJK Helsinki against Frankfurt, Robson's team will bow out of European competition with two matches still to be played.

On the flip side, Aberdeen finds themselves in the group stage of a European competition for the first time in over a decade, since their exit in the third round of the UEFA Cup courtesy of Bayern Munich during the 2007-08 season. Despite putting up a strong fight in their recent matches against PAOK and the reigning 2022 Europa League champions, Eintracht Frankfurt, Barry Robson and his team might feel somewhat unlucky to have only accumulated one point so far. Their 1-1 home draw against HJK Helsinki has been particularly costly in their pursuit of advancing to the knockout stages.

Nonetheless, they haven't abandoned hope completely, especially after a morale-boosting 1-0 victory against Hibernian recently, which has also earned them a spot in the League Cup final against Rangers next month. Aberdeen, famous for their historic triumph in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup under the legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 1983, hasn't tasted silverware since their League Cup win a decade ago. This makes them incredibly eager for the opportunity to upset the Glasgow giants at Hampden Park.

In the interim, they face the challenge of defying the odds and securing all three points in Thessaloniki. Failing to do so, and without an improbable favor from HJK against Frankfurt, Robson's team will bow out of European competition with two matches left to play.