PAOK’s Tactical Masterclass: Dominating Dynamo Kyiv

PAOK’s 2-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv at Toumba Stadium was a controlled, structurally coherent performance built on a clear 4-2-3-1 framework and intelligent use of the half-spaces. With no statistical data available for possession or shooting, the tactical picture must be read through positioning, substitutions and the timing of key actions. Alessio Lisci’s side established a stable platform early, absorbed Dynamo’s attempts to press, and then punished the Ukrainians with two well-timed surges from their advanced midfielder, G. Konstantelias, on either side of half-time.

Both teams lined up in a 4-2-3-1, but they interpreted the shape very differently. PAOK’s back four of J. Kenny, P. Hatzidiakos, G. Michailidis and Jogo played in a compact line, with Hatzidiakos and Michailidis central and the full-backs staggered to manage width. In front of them, the double pivot of C. Zafeiris and B. Santamaria gave Lisci a stable rest-defence: Santamaria anchoring and screening, Zafeiris stepping higher to connect with the three attacking midfielders. This structure allowed PAOK to compress the central corridor, forcing Dynamo’s attacks wide and limiting clean access into M. Ponomarenko.

In the band of three, A. Zivkovic and Taison worked as narrow wingers, often tucking inside to open the flanks for overlapping full-backs. The key, though, was Konstantelias as the central attacking midfielder. He repeatedly found pockets between Dynamo’s midfield pair (V. Brazhko and J. Lonwijk) and their back line, becoming the primary reference for vertical passes. A. Mythou, the lone striker, played more as a facilitator than a pure finisher, occupying centre-backs T. Kedziora and A. Thiare while dropping just enough to drag one out of line and open lanes for runners from deep.

First Goal

The first goal at 45' crystallised PAOK’s main offensive mechanism. Konstantelias arrived from the second line to finish after a contribution from Jogo, illustrating how PAOK’s full-backs were encouraged to advance and combine in the final third. With both pivots behind the ball, Lisci could allow Jogo to step high without losing defensive balance. The 1-0 at half-time reflected a pattern where PAOK’s positional play and vertical connections through Konstantelias outweighed Dynamo’s more linear attacking.

Dynamo Kyiv's Structure

Dynamo Kyiv, under Igor Kostyuk, also nominally set up in a 4-2-3-1, but their structure was more stretched. The back four of O. Sych, Kedziora, Thiare and T. Mykhavko had to defend large spaces, especially when full-backs advanced. Brazhko and Lonwijk as the double pivot were often pulled apart trying to press Zafeiris and Santamaria, leaving the zone in front of the centre-backs vulnerable. The attacking trio of N. Voloshyn, V. Buyalskyy and B. Redushko behind Ponomarenko had technical quality, but they were frequently isolated, receiving with their backs to goal and limited support between the lines.

Second Goal

The second goal at 48', again from Konstantelias with an assist by Michailidis, underlined Dynamo’s structural issues. PAOK once more exploited the half-space, with Michailidis stepping up from left-back to deliver, while Konstantelias attacked the seam between full-back and centre-back. Dynamo’s midfield screen failed to track the late run, and the back line could not compress quickly enough. At 2-0 so early in the second half, PAOK could tilt the game towards control and game management rather than constant attacking.

Disciplinary Events

Discipline events further reveal the tactical temperature. P. Hatzidiakos’ yellow card for “Tripping” at 35' suggests PAOK were prepared to break Dynamo’s transitions with tactical fouls when their rest-defence was briefly compromised. On the other side, Ponomarenko’s yellow card for “Tripping” at 50' and M. Shaparenko’s for “Foul” at 78' point to Dynamo increasingly chasing the game, stepping out of structure and committing late challenges as they tried to recover possession higher up the pitch.

Substitutions

Substitutions from both coaches were clearly tactical rather than like-for-like fitness swaps. At 67', Kostyuk introduced A. Yarmolenko and M. Shaparenko: Yarmolenko (IN) came on for N. Voloshyn (OUT), and Shaparenko (IN) came on for V. Buyalskyy (OUT). This double change aimed to inject creativity and experience between the lines, with Shaparenko offering more progressive passing from midfield and Yarmolenko a threat drifting in from the flank or operating as an additional playmaker.

Lisci’s response at 69' was proactive game management. D. Chatsidis (IN) came on for Taison (OUT), adding fresher legs and more defensive discipline on the flank, hinting at a shift towards protecting the lead. The triple change at 76' — A. Baba (IN) for A. Zivkovic (OUT), A. Elustondo (IN) for Hatzidiakos (OUT), and M. Camara (IN) for Zafeiris (OUT) — rebalanced the side. Baba’s introduction at left-back allowed Jogo to be managed physically or repositioned, Elustondo brought fresh energy and aerial security in central defence, and Camara added physical presence and ball-carrying in midfield, ideal for breaking pressure and running counters with a two-goal cushion.

At 80', Dynamo tried again to adjust the attacking line, with V. Kabaev (IN) for B. Redushko (OUT), seeking more directness and penetration. PAOK, in turn, removed their match-winner Konstantelias at 83', bringing on D. Pelkas (IN) for him (OUT). That swap signalled a move from aggressive vertical running to a more possession-oriented, experienced presence who could help circulate the ball and calm the tempo in the final phase.

Late changes for Dynamo — K. Bilovar (IN) for A. Thiare (OUT) and P. Mounguengue (IN) for J. Lonwijk (OUT) at 86' — looked like a last attempt to refresh both the back line and add a different physical profile higher up, perhaps to attack crosses or long balls. However, with PAOK’s structure already adjusted into a more conservative block and with fresh defensive legs, these moves did not fundamentally alter the tactical balance.

Without concrete figures for possession, shots, passes or saves, the statistical verdict must rest on the scoreline and card distribution. PAOK led 1-0 at half-time and closed out a 2-0 full-time result, reflecting a game where their attacking structure produced the only two decisive moments and their defensive organisation prevented Dynamo from converting any pressure into goals. Disciplinary numbers were modest but telling: PAOK received 1 yellow card, Dynamo Kyiv 2, for a total of 3. That slight imbalance is consistent with a match in which the away side spent more time chasing, pressing and committing higher-risk defensive actions, while PAOK, once ahead, could dictate where and how the game was played.

Overall, this was a tactically mature home performance: a clear use of the 4-2-3-1 to dominate key spaces, a standout role for Konstantelias as the between-the-lines reference, and in-game management from Lisci that steadily reduced Dynamo’s routes back into the tie.