PAOK beat Udine 89-71: Cedi Osman shines with 22 points on Trinchieri’s test night

Preseason basketball games are not always significant in terms of standings, but they are often the place where important tactical signals first appear. In PAOK’s first friendly match under coach Andrea Trinchieri in Italy, the Thessaloniki club defeated Udine 89-71. The performance of Cedi Osman, who scored 22 points, was the brightest moment and gave PAOK supporters reason to be optimistic ahead of the new season. The match took place on Italian soil, where PAOK is holding a training camp to prepare for both domestic and European competitions. Andrea Trinchieri immediately used the friendly as a squad test. He gave all his players playing time and tried different lineups and tactical systems. That explains why the result was not the only thing worth noting, but also the way PAOK implemented its game plan against an organized opponent like Udine. PAOK started strongly and created an early double-digit lead. At one point, the team led by as many as 26 points, with the score at 70-44. It was a comfortable margin that showed PAOK’s offensive efficiency for most of the game. However, Udine showed grit and did not give up. In the final minutes, the hosts tried to reduce the gap, but the deficit was too large to allow a full comeback. PAOK eventually protected the lead and won 89-71. Individually, Cedi Osman was the top scorer with 22 points. He showed not only finishing ability but also the capacity to stretch Udine’s defense. Watching closely, Osman was given freedom by Trinchieri to move and choose scoring positions. His presence in PAOK’s lineup will likely make him one of the team’s main offensive weapons for the season. Besides Osman, the other players also performed well. Kyle Alexander scored 14 points, while Naz Mitrou-Long and Hutchins each contributed 13 points. The encouraging detail is that PAOK’s points came from many different positions, not just from one player. That is a positive sign for Trinchieri because he always wants a deep team that can share the scoring burden in different moments of the game. Looking from a biased angle, the 89-71 win could excite PAOK fans. But from the opposite perspective, this friendly also raises questions for Trinchieri to examine. The way Udine cut the lead late in the game shows that PAOK still has issues with concentration after building a big advantage. If that happens in competitive fixtures, the Thessaloniki club may pay a heavy price. Preseason is always full of traps, and a heavy win can sometimes hide unresolved weaknesses. Another important detail is how Trinchieri managed the rotation. In this match, he was not afraid to test new combinations, even accepting risks to observe how individual players reacted. That is a characteristic of an experienced European coach like Trinchieri, who understands the value of physical and tactical preparation before the demanding phase of the season. It is fair to say PAOK is on the right track if they continue to show the same intensity they displayed against Udine. Of course, PAOK should not jump to conclusions that they are ready for every challenge. Udine is an organized opponent, but the level of a friendly match is still far from competitive games. What PAOK should do now is stay focused, improve defensive stability, and limit dead periods during matches. If they can do that, the victory with 89 points can become a solid psychological foundation before the season actually starts. PAOK’s next friendly will give Trinchieri another chance to test tactical options and evaluate the form of key players. With an experienced coach like Trinchieri and an impressive performance from Cedi Osman, PAOK supporters can hope for a promising new season. But remember that success in preseason guarantees nothing, because the real challenges begin only when the competitive matches start.