UEFA Europa League Play-offs
HNK Rijeka 1 - 0 FT PAOK
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
HNK Rijeka
Goalkeepers
M. Zlomislic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
J. Lasickas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Majstorovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Radeljic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Devetak
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
D. Petrovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Dantas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Ndockyt
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
N. Jankovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Menalo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Fruk
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
A. Todorovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Kitin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
B. Bogojevic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Husic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Rukavina
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Gojak
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Ilinkovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Cop
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Thaqi
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Butic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Kreilach
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Juric
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
PAOK
Goalkeepers
J. Pavlenka
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
J. Kenny
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
T. Kedziora
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Michailidis
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. R. Baba
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Midfielders
M. Ozdoev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
S. Meite
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Zivkovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Konstantelias
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
L. Ivanusec
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Chalov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
L. Gugeshashvili
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Tsiftsis
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Lovren
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Sastre
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Taylor
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Tsopouroglou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Bataoulas
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Camara
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
K. Despodov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Giakoumakis
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Chatsidis
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Mythou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/21/2025 | HNK Rijeka | 1 - 0 | PAOK | UEFA Europa League | Stadion Rujevica |
| 08/26/2021 | HNK Rijeka | 0 - 2 | PAOK | UEFA Europa Conference League | Stadion HNK Rijeka |
| 08/19/2021 | PAOK | 1 - 1 | HNK Rijeka | UEFA Europa Conference League | Stadio Toumbas |
HNK Rijeka Win
PAOK Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Menalo's Strike Secures Slender Advantage
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 35/100. Rijeka take a crucial but fragile lead to Greece after breaking down a stubborn defensive block.
Early Exchanges
The Intensity was palpable from the first whistle at Stadion Rujevica. HNK Rijeka immediately stamped their authority, taking charge of the tempo. They dominated possession and pushed the Greek side deep into their own half. The visitors absorbed pressure, relying heavily on their goalkeeper to keep the sheet clean early on. A combined 26 shots were attempted throughout the match, turning the penalty areas into absolute shooting galleries. PAOK struggled to find any rhythm, constantly breaking up play with tactical fouls as the hosts dictated the terms of engagement.
The Breakthrough
The decisive pivot arrived right before the interval. In the 39th minute, the persistent pressure finally cracked the visitors' resolve. N. Jankovic spotted an opening and delivered a precise ball. L. Menalo made no mistake, firing home to alter the Balance of the tie. The lead changing hands sent the home crowd into a frenzy. Trailing by a goal, the away side responded with increased aggression, racking up five yellow cards in their desperate bid to avoid conceding a second. Despite the physical toll, the Greek outfit managed to prevent further damage before the halftime whistle.
Looking Ahead
The second half yielded no further goals, though goalkeepers made 9 saves between them to keep the scoreline tight. The 1-0 finish leaves everything hanging in the balance. The Stakes for this knockout qualifier could not be higher as both clubs desperately chase a spot in the main tournament. Rijeka successfully navigated the first hurdle, but the advantage is razor-thin. Now, the tie shifts to Greece for the return leg on August 28. It promises to be a hostile environment where a single mistake could erase this hard-fought home victory.
Key Questions
Who scored the winning goal?
L. Menalo scored the decisive goal in the 39th minute for HNK Rijeka, finishing off an assist from N. Jankovic.
When is the second leg of the tie?
The crucial return leg against PAOK is scheduled for August 28.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Survival First, Football Second in Europa Qualifier
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 31/100. With a dismal entertainment outlook and severe lack of attacking flair, this first leg is purely a gruelling test of endurance for a place in the main draw.
The Setup
This August 21 clash at Stadion Rujevica brings HNK Rijeka and PAOK together for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League play-off tie. The overarching narrative here is simple: survive and advance. With a modest Stakes rating signalling typical qualifying tension, neither side will want to throw the tie away before the return leg in Greece next week. PAOK arrive sporting a bumpy LWDDW run, reflecting a weak Form profile that suggests they are entirely vulnerable under pressure. Meanwhile, an exceptionally low Stars metric guarantees a gritty affair lacking marquee magic, and poor Balance hints at a scrappy, disjointed 90 minutes.
Key Battle
Since we are largely devoid of elite head-to-heads, the defining clash pits PAOK's attacking focal points, G. Giakoumakis and F. Chalov, against the resolute Rijeka backline. The Croatian hosts must lock down their penalty area and force the Greek midfield, orchestrated by C. Zafeiris, to play backward. If the visitors find pockets of space, their frontline has enough physical edge to punish an unforced error.
Our Prediction
Expect a cagey, risk-averse encounter. Rijeka will sit deep to protect their home turf, frustrating the Greek side. PAOK will control possession but struggle to penetrate efficiently. We see a tight 1-1 draw, leaving everything on the line for the crucial second leg.