Dimitris Pelkas celebrates scoring for PAOK Eurokinissi Sports
Dimitris Pelkas: The Catalyst Behind PAOK’s Victory Over Atromitos
Dimitris Pelkas is currently showcasing exceptional form, much to the delight of Ivan Jovanovic, who sees in the 31-year-old attacking midfielder a true game-changer. SPORT24, in collaboration with Opta/Stats Perform, breaks down how one of PAOK’s captains was instrumental in securing a 1-0 win against Atromitos in the second round of the Stoiximan Super League.
Pelkas’ Return to PAOK: A Strategic Masterstroke
When Pelkas rejoined PAOK in January 2025 after more than four years away, the club knew they were welcoming back a quiet leader on the pitch. Following the retirement of Andre Vieirinha, Pelkas has emerged as the vocal presence in the locker room, combining creativity with a knack for scoring.
Last season, the Greek international contributed two goals and three assists across 15 appearances, seven of which he started, clocking under 600 minutes of playtime. This season, his impact remains consistent; despite coming off the bench in all three matches so far, he has netted two goals in just 92 minutes, proving his influence is undeniable.
Pelkas is undoubtedly one of the key game-changers in Razvan Lucescu’s tactical arsenal.
Breaking Down the Atromitos Match: Efficiency in Limited Time
Atromitos employed a compact double defensive line, often retreating behind the halfway line and crowding their penalty area. PAOK struggled to penetrate this defensive fortress, especially after Atromitos was reduced to ten men late in the first half due to Bakou’s second yellow card.
In the 61st minute, Lucescu substituted Luka Ivanusec for Pelkas, a move that paid immediate dividends. Pelkas operated both on the left flank and behind the strikers-first Georgios Giakoumakis, then Fedor Chalov.
Within just 30 minutes, Pelkas not only scored the decisive goal at the 73rd minute with a clever finish at the far post but also registered six shots in total-double the attempts of Ivanusec and Giakoumakis, who played 61 and 78 minutes respectively.
Two of Pelkas’ shots were on target, while other key players like Tzovaras, Zivkovic, Despodov, and Giakoumakis managed only one shot each. His six attempts carried an expected goals (xG) value of 0.51, second only to Kiril Despodov’s 0.54 xG for the match.
Pelkas’ xGoals and shot map during PAOK’s clash with Atromitos
From Finisher to Creator: Pelkas’ Multifaceted Role
Pelkas’ influence extended beyond scoring. He crafted a significant opportunity for teammate Mady Camara in the 89th minute with a brilliant one-touch pass inside Atromitos’ box.
While Despodov recorded two key passes, and Ozdoev and Sastre one each, Pelkas’ 0.38 expected assists (xA) ranked third on the team, trailing only Despodov’s 0.63 and Ozdoev’s 0.52.
He was also pivotal in ball circulation, attempting 15 passes with a 67% completion rate (10 successful passes). Notably, three of these were in PAOK’s own half, while seven penetrated the attacking third, helping dismantle Atromitos’ dense defensive setup.
Pelkas’ passing distribution during the PAOK-Atromitos match
Dominating Atromitos’ Defensive Zone
One of the most striking aspects of Pelkas’ performance was his 26 ball touches, with nearly a quarter occurring inside Atromitos’ penalty area. In just 29 minutes plus stoppage time, he completed six actions within the opponent’s box-an impressive feat considering only Despodov surpassed him with seven touches over a full 90 minutes.
Additionally, Pelkas completed four successful dribbles, won three of six duels, and recovered possession twice, including one in PAOK’s defensive third. This defensive contribution matched or exceeded several teammates and opponents alike, highlighting his all-around impact.
Pelkas’ touch map illustrating his activity zones against Atromitos
Pelkas’ Consistency: A Reliable Asset for Jovanovic and Greece
In summary, Pelkas delivered exactly what Ivan Jovanovic expects whenever he brings him on for the national team. The versatile 31-year-old has become a cornerstone of Greece’s new era, featuring in every match since his call-up-10 out of 10 appearances.
He has come off the bench in eight of those games, including providing the assist for Pavlidis’ historic goal in Greece’s 2-1 victory at Wembley against England, a match marked by the poignant memory of George Baldock’s sudden passing.
Given the depth of talent Greece possesses in attacking positions, Pelkas is likely to be used as a substitute in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Belarus (September 5, 21:45) and Denmark (September 8, 21:45). Fans and coaches alike hope he can replicate his influential performance for PAOK on the international stage.