Castro rescues Dortmund a point at PAOK

• PAOK open the scoring against the run of play through Róbert Mak
• Gonzalo Castro levels for Dortmund in the 72nd minute
• Park Joo Ho goes close for the Bundesliga side late on
• Next games: Qäbälä v Dortmund, PAOK v Krasnodar (22 October)

PAOK were denied what would have been a first victory over German opposition in 34 years as Gonzalo Castro's fortunate second-half equaliser helped Borussia Dortmund earn a 1-1 draw in Salonika.

Róbert Mak's emphatic first-half finish put PAOK ahead but Castro levelled with 18 minutes left to secure a draw which keeps Dortmund top of Group C with four points from two matches, with PAOK two behind.

Despite resting the likes of forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, defender Mats Hummels and midfielder Shinji Kagawa in view of the upcoming Bundesliga meeting with Bayern München, the visitors were on the attack from the off, Jonas Hofmann flashing a dipping volley over the PAOK crossbar after two minutes.

Home keeper Robin Olsen saved well from Castro in the 23rd minute after a typical slick Dortmund offensive, with the hosts finding it difficult to get hold of the ball. But just when it seemed Dortmund were in control, the Stadio Toumba erupted as PAOK opened the scoring. Captain Alexandros Tziolis sent Mak scampering through on goal with a superb pass and the Slovakia winger beat keeper Roman Weidenfeller with an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

PAOK's Miguel Vítor assesses his options©AFP/Getty Images

Dortmund failed to produce the expected second-half onslaught and when Marco Reus had a sight of goal on 71 minutes his free-kick was comfortably dealt with by Olsen. Within 60 seconds though Dortmund restored parity via the softest of goals. Hofmann made a run into the box and jumped over Castro's through ball, which tricked Olsen who was caught off guard, and the ball rolled into the net.

Home substitute Jairo da Silva drew a smart stop from Weidenfeller while Park Joo Ho went close with a snapshot late on but neither side could find a breakthrough as honours ended even. 

Striker light Dortmund
Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel's decision to leave several high-profile players at home, with Bayern on the horizon, left Marco Reus to play as a makeshift striker. The German international did show eye-catching touches and movement but for all BVB's possession he still cut a rather isolated figure. When Dortmund went 1-0 down you could not help but wonder what might have happened if they had been able to bring on Aubameyang.

PAOK's Róbert Mak impressed©AFP/Getty Images

Big Mak
The goalscorer was one of the Greek team's best performers, producing an energetic display that has become his hallmark in the local Super League. He was a constant threat for PAOK on the counter, making lung-bursting runs in behind Dortmund's back line and his 34th-minute goal was as emphatic a strike as they come.

PAOK pack the midfield
Igor Tudor's 3-5-2 formation worked a treat as the hosts quite happily allowed Dortmund possession only to break up play in the final third and raid dangerously on the counter. The system frustrated BVB all evening and they struggled to negotiate it, with Tziolis particularly impressive in the middle for the Greeks.

©AFP/Getty Images