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UEFA have banned FC Metalist Kharkiv from all European competitions for the 2013/14 season and reinstated PAOK FC, who will be Schalke's new play-off opponents
Nyon - FC Schalke 04 have new UEFA Champions League play-off opponents after FC Metalist Kharkiv were banned from all UEFA competitions for the 2013/14 season and replaced by Greek side PAOK FC.
UEFA’s decision to disqualify Metalist followed a two-hour long disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, which was attended by the Ukrainian club’s lawyers.
Schalke to play at home first
Several hours later, European football's governing body announced that PAOK, who are coached by former Schalke supremo Huub Stevens and were beaten by the Ukrainians in the third qualifying round, would instead take their place in the play-offs and face the Royal Blues, with the first leg being played at S04's Veltins Arena on 21 August.
Metalist still have the right to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but that will not have any effect on Schalke's play-off tie.
The Rossoneri forward missed Italy's friendly against Argentina with a persistent knee problem but he is expected to be available for trip to Philips Arena
AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has declared that star striker Mario Balotelli will be fit for the club's Champions League play-off against PSV.
The Italy international was forced to skip his country's 2-1 friendly defeat by Argentina in Rome on Wednesday night because of a troublesome knee injury.
However, Galliani is confident that Balotelli will be available for Tuesday night's trip to the Philips Stadion.
"Mario should make it for PSV," the Rossoneri supremo told Sky Sport Italia. "The knee is going well.
"I also heard from [Milan coach Massimiliano] Allegri, who told me that he should be there.
"Physically and psychologically, Milan are fine.
"I saw the team play in Germany and the US, and they seemed to me in good condition, so we'll see next week."
Meanwhile, Galliani confirmed that there had been no movement in relation to the club's attempt to bring forward the arrival of CSKA attacking midfielder Keisuke Honda, who has agreed to join Milan in January.
"The situation is very clear," he stated. "CSKA Moscow is the rightful owner of his card, so if they want to give him to us, we will take him in August.
"If they don't give him to us, he will come in January on a free transfer.
"The market closes on September 2. It's clear that, as time goes by, the deal becomes less and less interesting for us, but you never know; this is football, after all."
The experienced defender is optimistic about his side's chances of making it to the Champions League proper, insisting they will be prepared to face the Eindhoven outfit
Cristian Zaccardo is confident that AC Milan have what it takes to reach the group stages of the Champions League at the expense of PSV.
The San Siro side's domestic season has yet to kick off, whereas the Dutch outfit are two games into their Eredivisie campaign and have impressed so far with a relatively young side.
However, Zaccardo has insisted that Milan will be ready for the two-legged tie.
"We've done a lot of work and we are ready for these crucial games," he told Milan Channel.
"We know PSV and from Friday onwards we will start to prepare for the match in every little detail. We will take advantage of these days before the match.
"They may be physically better because they have already started the Dutch league, but we are Milan and we have good and experienced players.
"It will be a good tie. Both teams are very good, but this is an important step for us and we have to go through."
The first leg takes place in Eindhoven on August 20.
Metalist Kharkiv appeal dismissed by CAS
16 August 2013
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed Metalist Kharkiv's appeal against a ban from all UEFA competitions.
The Ukrainian side were thrown out of the UEFA Champions League and replaced by Greece's PAOK because of alleged links to match-fixing.
Metalist had been due to face Schalke in the next round of the competition but CAS confirmed on Friday that the ban would be upheld.
According to the body, UEFA, Metalist and PAOK all submitted responses after the Ukrainian club requested "a stay of the challenged decision and its reinstatement to the 2013-2014 UEFA competitions".
However, the organisation said in a statement: "After having considered the parties' submissions, the deputy president of the Appeals Arbitration Division decided to dismiss FC Metalist's request.
"Consequently, the UEFA decision remains in force, which means that FC Metalist Kharkiv is excluded from the 2013-2014 UEFA competitions."
Kharkiv reached the round of 32 in last season's UEFA Europa League before bowing out to Newcastle United 1-0 on aggregate.
They went on to finish second in the Ukrainian Premier League, qualifying for the Champions League as a result, and would have entered the group stage with a win against Schalke.
Youthful PSV will cause Milan problems - Van Bommel
By Alex Moretto9
Aug 17, 2013 12:57:00 AM
The 36-year-old believes the Eredivisie outfit will be no pushovers for the Italian giants as the two teams vie for a place in the Champions League group stage
Mark van Bommel insists PSV will cause AC Milan problems in their Champions League play-off clash first leg on Tuesday.
The retired midfielder, who represented both sides in an illustrious 20-year career, feels the Rossoneri will have their hands full coping with a youthful and vibrant Dutch attack - although he admits the tie is poised on a kinfe-edge.
“It will be a very difficult game for both teams,” he told Milan Channel. “PSV have changed a lot, they have a lot of young players and they are a very quick team.
“Milan doesn’t know how PSV play, they all run a lot. [Adam] Maher is the best player for PSV and their attack is so dangerous that they can hurt you from one moment to the next.
“But Milan are Milan and if you play in a team like this it is impossible not to do well. [Kevin-Prince] Boateng, [Mario] Balotelli and even the defence is very strong, otherwise they would not be playing at Milan.
“I can tell you that PSV are not happy to have drawn Milan for the knock-out round. I think they are very good at going forward but they have a very young defence. It will be a very interesting match to watch at the stadium because who knows what can happen."
Van Bommel admitted his allegiances are torn for the up-coming tie, despite having only represented the San Siro outfit for 18 months.
“I played for a year and a half for Milan but it felt like 10 years," he explained. "It was such a joy for me and I cried a lot when I left. I played seven years at PSV but I think the best players I played with were at Milan even though last season many of them left.
"It is very difficult for me to decide who to support; only one will go through.”
The Bianconeri legend believes his former club now have the strength in depth to defend their Serie A title as well as launch a challenge for their third European crown
Alessandro Del Piero has hailed the quality of the current Juventus squad, believing that they are one of this season's Champions League favourites.
The Italian champions were impressive in last term's competition, reaching the quarter-finals before being eliminated by eventual winners Bayern Munich.
However, having added the likes of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente to their ranks, the Bianconeri are ready for European glory, according to their former captain.
"In the past my Juve had the Champions League as their objective," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Now there are two players in every position that you can choose from. With such a large squad Juve can win their third consecutive league title at a canter and also challenge for the Champions League."
Del Piero also called on the Italian Football Federations (FIGC) to upgrade footballing facilities in the country, following England and Germany's lead.
"Let's look at what happened in England over the last 15 years, and then Germany," he said when asked if Italian football was progressing.
"They built or upgraded stadiums, solved the problem of security, worked on education in sport. In other countries there is respect for the rules, certainty of punishment, honesty.
"Rangers, a historic club, were punished [relegated to the bottom tier of Scottish football after being liquidated in 2012].
"We had World Cup '90 in Italy, but now we need a radical change."
By George Ankers21
Aug 18, 2013 9:29:00 AM
The Gunners midfielder is desperate to ensure that his side do not "waste all the hard work" that saw them secure a Champions League play-off place last campaign
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is determined to play his part in ensuring that his side do not "waste all the hard work" that went into qualifying for the Champions League.
The Gunners face Fenerbahce in a two-legged play-off to reach the group stages but started their season on the wrong foot by losing 3-1 to Aston Villa in Saturday's Premier League kick-off.
After a series of injuries over recent years, Wilshere is keen to feature in a crucial game.
"First and foremost I have to stay fit and make myself available – I want to be involved in the big games," he told reporters.
"We have the big Champions League qualifier coming up and we don't want to waste all the hard work we did last year. We have got to be up for that and get into the Champions League."
Wilshere picked up his eighth international cap in England's midweek friendly win over Scotland and the young star is desperate to make up for lost time by staying fit for their next fixtures, vital World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.
"Missing that game wasn't nice," the Gunners midfielder added of the summer's glamour friendly against Brazil, which Roy Hodgson's men drew 2-2.
"I have missed a lot of England games and I want to be involved in the big ones next month."
The AC Milan forward has proven his fitness ahead of his side's Champions League play-off at the Philips Stadion by scoring twice in an 11-0 friendly win
AC Milan will have Mario Balotelli available for their Champions League play-off with PSV on Tuesday after he came through a friendly unscathed.
The Rossoneri overcame Serie D side Derthona 11-0 at their Milanello training complex on Saturday, with the striker scoring a first-half double to prove his fitness.
Though Balotelli left after completing 45 minutes, it is believed that he demonstrated sufficiently that he has overcome the knee injury he suffered earlier in pre-season, which forced him to miss his club's tour of the USA.
The former Manchester City forward also missed Italy's 2-1 defeat against Argentina in Rome on Wednesday but appears to have vindicated the words of Milan CEO Adriano Galliani, who said earlier this week that Balotelli would be ready for the upcoming European encounter.
Luca Antonini and Bakaye Traore remain the only injury concerns for Milan ahead of their trip to Eindhoven.
UEFA Champions League Preview: Arsenal, Milan prepare for play-offs
19 August 2013
UEFA Champions League regulars Milan and Arsenal enter the 2013-14 competition at the final qualification round this week.
Seven-time champions Milan enter at the play-off stage after a late win in the final game of Serie A last season ensured they finished third.
They will face former European champions PSV at the Philips Stadion and retired midfielder Mark van Bommel, who played for both clubs, believes the tie is too close to call.
"It will be a very difficult game for both teams," the former Netherlands international told Milan's official website.
"PSV have changed a lot, they have a lot of young players and they are a very quick team. Milan don't know how PSV play, they all run a lot, but Milan are still Milan, they have lots of talent."
Arsenal travel to Fenerbahce having only secured their qualification for the competition in the final game of last season's Premier League thanks to a win against Newcastle United.
Arsene Wenger's men face a tough tie against a team that reached the last four of the UEFA Europa League in 2012-13, with both sides having lost in their domestic openers on Saturday.
While Ersun Yanal's men threw away a two-goal lead to lose against Konyaspor, the English side were beaten 3-1 at home by Aston Villa and midfielder Jack Wilshere wants to bounce back against the Turkish club.
"Villa are a tough team but we are not happy with our performance. We have to look at ourselves and pick ourselves up for the (Champions League) qualifier in the week," he told the club's official website.
Scottish champions Celtic travel to Shakhter, having beating Cliftonville and Elfsborg in previous rounds, and they will look to repeat their performance in the competition last year.
Neil Lennon's men qualified from the group stage, beating Barcelona in the process, before bowing out to Juventus in the round of 16.
Lyon continue their quest to qualify for the group stage after missing last season's competition against Real Sociedad, while German side Schalke get their campaign under way against PAOK.
Jens Keller's men had been due to play Metalist Kharkiv but will instead come up against the Greek side with Kharkiv banned from UEFA competitions due to alleged links with match-fixing.
Elsewhere, Portugal's Pacos de Ferreira make their Champions League debut at home to Zenit St Petersburg and Viktoria Plzen welcome Maribor to the Struncovy Sady Stadion.
Swiss side Basel will look to go one better than last season and qualify for the group stage against Bulgaria's Ludogorets on the same day as Dinamo Zagreb face Austria Wien for the first time in the Croatian capital.
Steaua, who won the European Cup in 1985-86, will hope to reach the group stage for the first time since 2008-09, when they host Legia.
UEFA Champions League Preview: PSV Eindhoven v Milan
18 August 2013
The headline tie of the UEFA Champions League play-off round sees PSV Eindhoven host Milan on Wednesday evening.
It is likely that both clubs would have hoped for an easier draw as they bid for a place in the group stages, but fate has decreed that one heavyweight is set for an early exit from Europe's premier cup competition.
PSV can at least take comfort from the fact that they come into the first leg in fine form, having won all three of their Eredivisie fixtures thus far to take their place at the top of the Dutch top flight.
Milan's domestic season has yet to begin, however, so they are somewhat short of competitive match practice ahead of the trip to the Philips Stadion.
The two teams have previously met on six occasions in the Champions League, having been drawn together in the group stages three times. Milan have won three of those encounters, two have ended in victories for PSV while the teams have also shared a 0-0 draw.
The last clash between the pair, which came in November 2005, ended in a 1-0 victory to PSV that came courtesy of an early strike from Jefferson Farfan.
The Dutch club have failed to make the mark on Europe in the ensuing years, though, and suffered a disappointing exit from the group stages of the UEFA Europa League last season.
Meanwhile, Milan, who lifted their seventh Champions League trophy in 2006-07, were knocked out of the competition at the last-16 stage by Barcelona last term.
UEFA Champions League: PSV 1 Milan 1
21 August 2013
Tim Matavz's second-half strike secured a 1-1 draw for PSV as their UEFA Champions League play-off with Milan hangs in the balance.
Stephan El Shaarawy opened the scoring for the visitors after 15 minutes with a close-range header at the end of a flowing move.
Kevin-Prince Boateng released Ignazio Abate down the right-hand side and his pin-point cross was met by the striker, who headed powerfully past Jeroen Zoet.
PSV got themselves level on the hour as Matavz reacted quickest to head past Christian Abbiati after the goalkeeper had failed to hold a Jeffrey Bruma strike.
And despite late pressure, neither side could find a winner to give them the advantage heading into the second leg.
After being cup-tied for last season’s European campaign, Mario Balotelli was given his first start for Milan in the Champions League. He was partnered in attack by El Shaarawy and Boateng.
PSV coach Philip Cocu was dealt a blow in the lead-up to the game with the news that in-form striker Zakaria Bakkali had been ruled out with a groin injury.
The 17-year-old – who has scored four goals in four games in all competitions this season – was replaced in the starting line-up by Matavz.
PSV started well, but having survived an early period of pressure Milan sprang into life in the 15th minute as El Shaarawy broke the deadlock.
The 20-year-old rose unmarked to head home Abate’s right-wing cross after some lax PSV defending.
The Dutch side sought a response, and with eight minutes of the half to play Adam Maher came close to levelling, only to see his shot rattle the crossbar.
The 20-year-old midfielder broke at pace towards the Milan defence before holding off the challenge from Cristian Zapata and firing in his shot, only for the woodwork to come to Abbiati's rescue.
Milan should have doubled their lead early in the second half but El Shaarawy missed two clear-cut chances after excellent work from Balotelli.
The striker saw his first chance bounce wide of Zoet after a delicate chip, and his second opportunity was denied by a perfectly timed tackle from Jetro Willems.
Those misses proved to be costly as PSV equalised on the hour mark.
Bruma sent a speculative long-range effort towards goal and the ball bounced in front of Abbiati, causing it to strike him on the chest and loop into the air.
And before the goalkeeper could react, Matavz pounced to head the ball into the back of the net to put the Eredivisie side level.
On-loan defender Karim Rekik had a fantastic opportunity to win the game for PSV late on, but he mistimed his header following a perfect Georginio Wijnaldum cross.
UEFA Champions League: Lyon 0 Real Sociedad 2
21 August 2013
Real Sociedad put one foot in the UEFA Champions League group stages with a superb 2-0 victory away to 10-man Lyon on Tuesday.
The Spanish outfit put on a classy display of fluent attacking football at the Stade de Gerland, leaving their Ligue 1 hosts an uphill task to turn the tie around in the return leg of their play-off at the Estadio Municipal de Anoeta on August 28.
Sociedad took the lead when Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring with a sensational scissor-kick in the first half. The strike was extra special for the Frenchman who grew up as a boyhood Lyon fan.
And his effort was almost outdone by Haris Seferovic after the break, as his 25-yard half-volley thundered into the top corner.
Lyon’s task became even more difficult when centre-back Milan Bisevac was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 75th minute, with the French side now having it all to do in the return.
Lyon coach Remi Garde kept faith with the same starting XI that defeated Sochaux 3-1 on Friday, while Sociedad made four changes from their 2-0 victory over Getafe at the weekend, including Griezmann starting in place of Ruben Pardo.
The visitors started the brighter of the two sides, looking the more likely to create openings.
And they were unlucky not to take the lead in the 12th minute when Carlos Vela engineered an opportunity on the edge of the area, only to see his left-footed shot cannon back off the post.
However, they did not have to wait long to get the breakthrough their play deserved as just five minutes later the travelling support were celebrating an early goal of the season contender.
Vela played a teasing outswinging cross from the left that went behind Griezmann, but the 22-year-old showed superb athleticism to meet the ball and fire a left-footed scissor-kick into the bottom corner.
That setback seemed to spark Lyon into action and Yoann Gourcuff produced their best moment of the half when he played a neat one-two with Alexandre Lacazette before striking first time. Only a smart save from Claudio Bravo at his near post denied Lyon an equaliser.
Lacazette then had a penalty claim turned down when he went to ground after going shoulder-to-shoulder in the area with Inigo Martinez, but his appeals were waved away by referee Milorad Mazic.
Lyon needed a quick start to the second half and Maxime Gonalons should have done better when he headed wide from Gourcuff's corner despite being unmarked in the area.
They were duly punished after 50 minutes by another piece of brilliance.
Some exquisite one-touch football led to Griezmann laying the ball into the path of Seferovic on the left-hand side, before the Swiss struck an unstoppable half-volley from 25 yards that flew beyond Anthony Lopes into the top corner.
With the match slipping away, Lyon needed a goal to change the complexion of the match, and they came desperately close in the 68th minute when Gonalons’ header from Gourcuff's corner thundered off the underside of the crossbar.
And the situation worsened for the home side when Bisevac was shown a second yellow card for a trip on Vela on the edge of the box with quarter of an hour remaining.
Vela could have made it three with two minutes remaining when he cut inside Lopes, but his effort was blocked on the line by Gueida Fofana.
UEFA Champions League Wrap: Real Sociedad, Zenit record first-leg victories
21 August 2013
Real Sociedad produced a slick performance at Stade de Gerland to win 2-0 in their UEFA Champions League play-off first leg with Lyon.
The Liga side were in control throughout against their French hosts and now sit on the verge of qualifying for the group stages for the first time in nine years.
Antoine Griezmann's acrobatic strike broke the deadlock in the first half before Haris Seferovic doubled the lead five minutes after the break.
Things got worse for Lyon as defender Milan Bisevac was sent off for two bookable offences late on, meaning that the Serbian will miss the crucial second leg through suspension.
Zenit St Petersburg were also big winners in their first-leg tie with Pacos Ferreira, the Russian side winning 4-1 away in Portugal.
Roman Shirokov scored a hat-trick for Luciano Spalletti's side while a Matias Degra own goal gave them a fourth.
Andre Leao pulled a consolation back for the Portuguese side but progression now looks tough for them going into the second leg.
Kazakh side Shakhter Karagandy produced the surprise of the night with a 2-0 victory over Scottish champions Celtic.
Neil Lennon's side - who reached the Round of 16 last season - had chances to take the advantage in the tie but failed to take them and suffered the consequences.
Andrei Finonchenko and Sergei Khizhnichenko gave Shakhter the victory, leaving them on the verge of becoming the first Kazakh side to qualify for the group stages of the competition.
Czech champions Viktoria Plzen also take a two-goal advantage into their second leg with Maribor after a 3-1 victory in Plzen.
Marian Cisovsky and Vladimir Darida had put the hosts two goals ahead in the opening hour before Ales Mejac pulled a goal back for the visitors. However, Michal Duris' last-minute strike restored Plzen's two-goal cushion.
The final game on Tuesday saw two European heavyweights go head-to-head as PSV met Milan in Eindhoven.
Milan opened the scoring through Stephan El Shaarawy, however after missed chances the visitors were punished when Tim Matavz made it 1-1 to leave the tie wide open.
Allegri frustrated with PSV draw The 46-year-old believes his side's chances of reaching the Champions League group stages hang in the balance after they were held in Eindhoven
El Shaarawy thrilled to end goal drought The 20-year-old scored his first goal in competitive club games since February against PSV on Tuesday but was disappointed his side could not hold on to the win
Lyon 0-2 Real Sociedad: Sublime Griezmann goal puts Spaniards in control of the tie A stunning scissor-kick from the boyhood les Gones fan gave the visitors the lead before Haris Seferovic smashed home a second after the break
PSV 1-1 AC Milan: Abbiati howler hands Dutch a lifeline The Italian fumbled a long-range effort to gift Tim Matavz an equaliser after Stephan El Shaarawy had put the visitors in front in Eindhoven
Shakhter Karagandy 2-0 Celtic: Lennon's men on Champions League brink after shattering defeat Andrei Finonchenko and Sergey Khizhnichenko struck either side of half-time to give the Kazakh champions a famous win and leave the Hoops in deep trouble
Serious Balotelli good for Milan - Emanuelson The Dutch winger is hoping the Italian's more focused attitude can help fire the club through to the Champions League group stages at the expense of PSV
Fenerbahce do not fear Arsenal - Kaldirim The 23-year-old defender says the Turkish club are confident of progressing to the group stages because the Gunners are a weaker opposition compared to past glories
Maher confident of Milan scalp The youngster, who claims he is improving since his summer move from AZ, has urged his PSV to go all-out against the Rossoneri on Tuesday
Pressure off for Lyon, says Garde The coach believes playing in the Europa League if defeated would still be a positive, while Real Sociedad striker Carlos Vela is taking a calm approach
Allegri: Milan are weaker than PSV Ahead of Tuesday's clash with the Eredivisie table-toppers, the Rossoneri coach expressed his fitness worries and said Mario Balotelli should feature
'My contract can wait' - Allegri focused on AC Milan clash with PSV The Rossoneri coach remains tight-lipped over a possible extension of his deal as he urges his side to secure qualification for the Champions League
Huntelaar ruled out of Champions League play-off The Schalke striker suffered an injury at the weekend against Wolfsburg which will see him miss the side's clashes with PAOK for a group stage spot
Wenger puts four rookies on standby for crunch Fenerbahce test
Aug 20, 2013 11:21:00 AM
Hector Bellerin, Isaac Hayden, Serge Gnabry and Gedion Zelalem are all set to be part of travelling party for the Champions League play-off clash with the squad hit by injuries
By Wayne Veysey | Chief correspondent
Arsenal are set to respond to their early season injury crisis by calling up four rookies for their pivotal Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce.
Youngsters Hector Bellerin, Isaac Hayden and Serge Gnabry, all 18, and Gedion Zelalem, 16, have been put on stand-by to join the senior squad that flies to Turkey on Tuesday afternoon.
Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky and Kieran Gibbs, who all picked up injuries in the Gunners’ disastrous 3-1 defeat against Aston Villa last Saturday, are expected to pass fitness tests and be in the travelling party for Wednesday night’s opening leg of the two-legged encounter.
But the squad is increasingly threadbare following a string of injuries to established players and Arsene Wenger is also faced with a late decision on whether to include Bacary Sagna in the travelling party.
Goal has learned that the 30-year-old right-back is suffering from heavy whiplash following a horrible fall towards the end of the Villa match.
There is a possibility that Arsenal could take 19 players to Fenerbahce rather than the usual match-day 18, with Spanish right-back Bellerin providing cover in case Sagna does not make it.
Bellerin, centre-back Hayden and midfielder Zelalem are yet to make their senior Arsenal debuts, while winger Gnabry has made only four appearances for the club, three of which were substitute cameos.
Wenger has already ruled out Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a serious knee injury at the weekend. Arsenal will receive the results on Tuesday of the scan he had on Monday after the swelling on his knee subsided.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has joined Mikel Arteta, Thomas Vermaelen and Abou Diaby as a long-term absentee, while Nacho Monreal is also not yet fully fit.
This has highlighted even further Arsenal’s need for squad reinforcement with less than two weeks of the transfer window remaining.
Garde: It's not mission impossible The 47-year-old still harbours hopes of overturning their 2-0 defeat to Real Sociedad and qualifying for the Champions League group stages
Gonalons surprised by slick Sociedad The Olympique Lyonnais skipper has commended the Basque outfit on their 2-0 win over les Gones in France, while Xabi Prieto is thinking about 'revenge'
Mertesacker: First 20 minutes crucial for Arsenal After losing their first Premier League match to Aston Villa, the Gunners centre-back feels that a solid start against Fenerbahce will be vital for their Champions League hopes
Maher: PSV can beat Milan at San Siro The Netherlands international believes the Eindhoven side still have every chance of progressing, while Tim Matavz has stressed they have nothing to lose
Cocu: PSV dominated against Milan The former Netherlands international felt the Eredivisie giants were the better side of the two in Tuesday's Champions League play-off
UEFA Champions League: Schalke 1 PAOK 1
22 August 2013
PAOK took control of their UEFA Champions League play-off against Schalke on Wednesday, grabbing an away goal in a 1-1 draw in Germany.
Jefferson Farfan had given the hosts the lead before the end of a first half they dominated, but a fabulous effort from Miroslav Stoch in the second period handed PAOK an equaliser they fully deserved for a disciplined defensive performance at the Veltins-Arena.
The result represented a satisfying return to Schalke for PAOK coach Huub Stevens, who was sacked by the Bundesliga club last December, but the occasion was marred by crowd trouble late on, with police forced to intervene due to fighting among the home supporters.
Following his side's 4-0 humbling at the hands of Wolfsburg on Saturday, Schalke boss Jens Keller made three changes. Having suffered a knee injury in that fixture, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar dropped out for Adam Szalai, while 17-year-old midfielder Max Meyer replaced Christian Clemens in midfield.
PAOK, meanwhile, also made three changes from their league victory over Xanthi, with experienced midfielder Kostas Katsouranis reintroduced to the Greek outfit's line-up.
Despite the high stakes involved, the opening moments of the match saw little caution from both sides as PAOK threw in several dangerous crosses and Schalke threatened on the counter-attack in reply. One such break almost ended in Schalke opening the scoring, as Atsuto Uchida was cynically pulled down before some desperate defending saw PAOK scramble the resultant free-kick away.
The hosts' share of possession began to grow after that chance and, though several promising situations broke down thanks to miscued final passes, they took a deserved lead with half an hour gone.
Christian Fuchs' first effort in the box was well blocked but Szalai showed great composure to lay-off Farfan from the rebound, with the Peruvian passing the ball in off the post to make it 1-0. PAOK goalkeeper Jacobo raised his arms as Farfan's shot slid past him - seemingly in the belief that the ball was going wide - but he was left in no doubt about the consequences of his error as the Schalke crowd vociferously celebrated the goal.
PAOK almost summoned an immediate reply from the restart, as Costin Lazar's effort was cleared off the line by Fuchs, but the Germans recovered their control to ease into half-time with a one-goal advantage.
Schalke's domination of the match continued into the second half, though they were regularly denied clear shots at goal by some dogged defending from the visitors. As a result, frustration began to creep into the hosts' play, and they wasted some presentable chances with snatched finishes, making PAOK's eventual equaliser feel almost inevitable.
Stoch was the hero for the visitors, jinking in from the left-hand side and unleashing a tremendous curling effort beyond a helpless Timo Hildebrand with 73 minutes on the clock. Unfortunately, the former Chelsea man's goal also resulted in unrest among the home support, with police entering the fray in an attempt to restore order.
On the pitch, Schalke had two chances to immediately restore their advantage, but Farfan's shot was brilliantly blocked by the PAOK defence before Benedikt Howedes' attempted outside-of-the-boot finish from a fabulous through-ball was stopped by Jacobo.
The hosts received another blow moments later when Farfan was taken from the pitch on a stretcher, and they could not grab another goal in the final minutes to regain control of the tie prior to the return leg in Greece next week.
Fenerbahce 0-3 Arsenal: Gunners put one foot in the group stages
Goals from Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud have put Arsene Wenger's men in a commanding position in the Champions League play-off ahead of next week's second leg
Arsenal ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Fenerbahce in Istanbul on Wednesday night to put one foot in the group stages of the Champions League.
Second-half goals from Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and a penalty from Olivier Giroud made sure of the win, with the Gunners now firmly in the driving seat ahead of next week's second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsene Wenger was forced into one change from the opening day of the Premier League season with injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ruling him out of the trip to Turkey.
Santi Cazorla replaced the England international with Lukas Podolski having to settle for a place on the bench.
Fenerbahce gave starts to new signings Bruno Alves and Michal Kadlec, while another new arrival Emmanuel Emenike was named as a substitute.
Having dominated the opening exchanges, Arsenal tested goalkeeper Volkan Demirel for the first time after 19 minutes.
Cazorla created the first opportunity for Walcott, his through-ball nearly finding the forward, but Demirel slid in well to intercept.
The loose ball fell to Tomas Rosicky and he delivered a perfect cross for Giroud but the striker’s header was just wide of goal.
Fenerbahce were struggling to get into the game and failed to test Wojciech Szczesny in the opening half.
Wenger's early season injury problems continued just after the half hour when Laurent Koscielny was forced off with a head injury.
The French defender clashed with Pierre Webo and had to be replaced by Carl Jenkinson.
The hosts began the second half at a much higher tempo but fell behind six minutes in as Gibbs scored a crucial away goal.
Just after the hour, Arsenal doubled their lead thanks to Ramsey.
He received a pass from Jack Wilshere 35 yards from goal and moved at pace towards the Fenerbahce defence. As he reached the penalty area, Ramsey fired a low shot into the bottom corner, although Demirel should have done better.
The victory was secured with 14 minutes to play as Kadlec brought down Walcott inside the penalty area. Giroud made no mistake from the spot, sending Demirel the wrong way to complete a perfect night for Arsenal.
UEFA Champions League Wrap: Arsenal, Basel ease to away wins
22 August 2013
Arsenal eased the pressure on under-fire manager Arsene Wenger with a comprehensive 3-0 win at Fenerbahce on Wednesday.
The Premier League side came into the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie amid mounting fan discontent due to inactivity in the transfer market and their 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday.
However, Wenger's men responded in style at Sukru Saracoglu by scoring three away goals to all-but ensure their place in the group stages of Europe's premier club competition for the 16th season in a row.
Arsenal were in command from the off in Istanbul but it took them until six minutes after half-time to finally take a deserved lead through left-back Kieran Gibbs, who converted Aaron Ramsey's cross at the back post.
Ramsey then doubled the visitors' advantage himself with a superb effort just after the hour mark. The Wales international drove at the Fenerbahce defence before unleashing a low shot from 20 yards that squirmed under keeper Volkan Demirel.
And Olivier Giroud added gloss to the scoreline from the penalty spot with 14 minutes to play after Theo Walcott was brought down in the area, leaving the Turkish side with a mountain to climb ahead of next week's second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
Another side to seal an impressive away victory were Swiss champions Basel, who ran out 4-2 victors at Ludogorets.
Murat Yakin's men went in front in Bulgaria after just 12 minutes through Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, before Marcelinho drew the home side level 11 minutes later.
The match then stayed all square until after the break when Ludogorets midfielder Ivan Stoyanov gave the hosts the lead, but Basel then responded in style, with Salah's second of the game, a strike from Giovanni Sio and a late Fabian Schaar penalty putting them firmly in charge of the tie.
Schalke have endured a nightmare start to the new Bundesliga campaign and their chances of reaching the group stages of the Champions League are in the balance after they were held to a 1-1 home draw by PAOK.
The German side dominated the vast majority of the match at the Veltins-Arena and Jefferson Farfan put them in front midway through the first half. However, Miroslav Stoch grabbed an equaliser and an all-important away goal for the Greek visitors 17 minutes from time.
Elsewhere on Wednesday, Austria Vienna put themselves in the driving seat for qualification by nicking a 2-0 win away at Dinamo Zagreb.
The Austrian champions soaked up pressure from Dinamo throughout the game and got their noses in front on 68 minutes through Marin Leovac, before striker Marko Stankovic sealed the victory seven minutes later.
Meanwhile, the tie between Steaua Bucharest and Legia Warsaw remains too close to call after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the Romanian capital.
Federico Piovaccari put the home side ahead with a smart finish in the first half, before Jakub Kosecki grabbed a crucial away goal for the visitors eight minutes after the break.
Wenger hails Arsenal's 'mental strengths' in Fenerbahce win
By Dejan Kalinic31
Aug 22, 2013 8:11:00 AM
The Gunners boss is delighted with the resilience and determination showed by his team as goals from Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud snatched a decisive advantage
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised his team's "mental strengths" after their convincing win over Fenerbahce on Wednesday.
Goals from Kieran Gibbs, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud saw the Gunners claim a 3-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League play-off in Turkey and the Frenchman hailed his side for the way in which they dealt with a hostile atmosphere at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadyumu.
"This team has shown a lot of mental strengths. I told you yesterday and you forget that this team has only lost one game since March - and under very special circumstances," Wenger told reporters.
"With the environment we faced, it was difficult but there is only one way to do it, go out there and play football like we want to play."
Defender Laurent Koscielny was rushed to hospital with a serious head injury after being kicked in the face by Fenerbahce striker Pierre Webo.
Arsenal overcame that setback with three second-half goals, including Giroud's 77th-minute penalty, which put them into a commanding position heading into the second leg, and, despite having to wait 51 minutes for the opening goal, Wenger felt that his team were always in control of the contest.
"I believe we played in a very heated atmosphere against a good team but we had a proactive attitude from the first minute on and that certainly was very important," the Gunners boss enthused.
"We didn't come in shaky, we came in resolute and determined with the desire to take the game to them and overall we were in control."
