PAOK Saloniki U19 secured a dominant 3-0 victory over city rivals Aris Thessaloniki U19 in the Greek U19 league on September 13, 2026. The win cements PAOK’s position at the top of the youth standings and extends their impressive unbeaten derby record, while Aris were left to reflect on a chastening evening in Thessaloniki.

Match Overview

The Thessaloniki derby at youth level is always fiercely contested, with both academies producing talented players for the senior teams. PAOK’s U19 side has been in outstanding form this season, combining technical flair with tactical discipline. Aris, known for their battling qualities, hoped to disrupt their rivals’ rhythm. However, PAOK’s superior movement and pressing proved too much, and the home side controlled the match from start to finish.

Key Moments

PAOK took the lead in the 18th minute when Giannis Papadopoulos finished off a flowing team move, slotting home from inside the box. The second goal arrived in the 42nd minute through Kostas Antoniou, who curled a free-kick into the top corner. Aris’s hopes were further dented in the 65th minute when a defender was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge. PAOK capitalized in the 77th minute when Dimitris Georgiadis tapped in a low cross to make it 3-0. Aris never threatened a comeback.

Tactical Story

PAOK lined up in a 4-3-3 with a high press that suffocated Aris’s attempts to play out from the back. Their midfield trio rotated intelligently, creating space for the full-backs to overlap. Aris tried to sit deep and counter, but their numerical disadvantage after the red card made it an uphill struggle. PAOK’s patience in possession and ruthless finishing in the final third were the hallmarks of a complete performance.

Standout Players

• Giannis Papadopoulos (PAOK U19): Opened the scoring and constantly troubled the Aris defence with his dribbling.
• Kostas Antoniou (PAOK U19): A stunning free-kick and excellent control in midfield.
• Dimitris Georgiadis (PAOK U19): Added the third goal and worked tirelessly off the ball.
• Nikos Alexiou (Aris U19): Despite the defeat, the goalkeeper made several saves to keep the score down.

Season Impact

PAOK U19 remain at the top of the Greek U19 Super League, sending a clear message to their title rivals. Aris U19 drop points and will need to regroup quickly to stay in the hunt for a top-half finish. For PAOK, the victory is another step in the development of a highly promising youth squad that continues to feed the senior team.