Champions League

[monks data]

Champions League | Playoffs

Aug 21, 2013 at 7.45pm UK

Schalke Schalke 04
1-1
PAOK PAOK

Farfan (32')

FT(HT: 1-0)

Stoch (72')

PAOK draw with Schalke

By Michael Penkman, Reporter | 21 August 2013

Miroslav Stoch's goal is enough to see PAOK secure a 1-1 draw with Schalke 04 in the first leg of their Champions League playoff encounter at the Veltins-Arena.

PAOK have secured a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie with Bundesliga outfit Schalke 04.

Schalke's teammates celebrate scoring during the UEFA Champions League play-off first leg football match Schalke 04 vs Greece's PAOK Salonika in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany on August 21, 2013 © Getty Images

The hosts settled quickly but it took over half an hour for them to break the deadlock, with Jefferson Farfan eventually easing the tension.

When the ball fell to the feet of Adam Szalai, after Julian Draxler saw his shot blocked, the Bulgarian striker showed great awareness to pick out the Peruvian, who slotted past Sanz Jacobo.

PAOK's response would have been almost immediate had it not been for Christian Fuchs, who somehow got back to clear Kostas Katsouranis's effort off the line.

The Greek side started the second half well and managed to find a leveller in the 72nd minute, with former Chelsea midfielder Miroslav Stoch bursting down the left and cutting inside to fire past Timo Hildebrand.

That was enough to seal a draw for PAOK, who lead on away goals heading into next week's second leg in Germany.