PAOK boss says they will ‘give everything’ in attempt to shock Chelsea

PAOK boss Razvan Lucescu hopes the Greek side can extend their unbeaten run against English opposition in Thursday’s Europa League Group L clash with Chelsea.

PAOK’s record is two wins and two draws from matches with Arsenal in 1997 and Tottenham in 2011. Chelsea have an identical record against Greek sides.

“We have to manage every game in any competition,” Lucescu told a media conference, according to PAOK’s Twitter feed.

“We will give everything to win the next game. Chelsea is one of the best teams in the world. We will be prepared and we have huge motivation for this game.”

The Blues’ last Europa League venture saw them crowned champions in May 2013, after dropping out of the Champions League in the group stage.

There are some familiar faces among the opposition at Toumba Stadium.

Striker Chuba Akpom joined PAOK from Arsenal last summer and has played alongside Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud when both were Gunners.

And Belgian midfielder Omar El Kaddouri played at Napoli under Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri and alongside Blues midfielder Jorginho.

Striker Aleksandar Prijovic has returned to training following a hamstring problem and could be included by the Greek side, who have no other injury concerns.

PAOK have an ambitious target in a group which also includes BATE Borisov of Belarus and Vidi of Hungary.

Ukraine midfielder Yevhen Shakhov said: “Our target is to pass from the group stage. We understand the quality of Chelsea, but we have to remain concentrated to our game.”