Krasnodar enter Champions League group stage after defeating PAOK in Greece

Champions League play-off round, 2nd leg
PAOK FC 1-2 FC Krasnodar
Wednesday, 30 September, Salonika, Stadio Toumba

Goals: PAOK - El Kaddouri (77); Krasnodar - Michailidis (73 OG), Cabella (78)
1st leg: 1-2

For the first time in the club’s history Krasnodar have reached Champions League group stage. After a scoreless first half Murad Musaev’s side took the lead, when Giannis Michailidis scored an own goal after Igor Smolnikov ran into the penalty area and made a cross. It took four minutes for the hosts to equalise, thanks to Otman El Kaddouri’s header, but just a minute later Tonny Vilhena hit the post, and Remy Cabella scored on the rebound.

Three clubs will represent Russia in the Champions League group stage for the first time as Krasnodar joined current RPL champion Zenit St. Petersburg and runner up Lokomotiv Moscow. The group-stage draw will take place on 1 October.