AEK is set to face one of its most challenging European matches yet as it takes on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the third matchday of the Champions League group stage (10:00 p.m.).
Marco Nikolić’s team certainly faces a difficult task against an opponent with tremendous quality and offensive firepower. City is looking to bounce back from its 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain and return to winning ways in Europe, with its primary goal being to secure a spot in the top eight.
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Despite the English side’s strength, however, their defense has shown weaknesses recently, with Maresca’s team struggling to keep a clean sheet. This is something AEK needs to capitalize on; they’ll have to be clinical with their chances and stay fully focused throughout the match.
Erling Haaland did not participate in the “Citizens’” last training session, and the odds are not in the Norwegian’s favor for him to start the game. Foden will take his place. Antoine Semenyo is definitely out of the lineup and is expected to return in about two months.
On the other hand, AEK has been in England for a week now, having suffered a 3-1 loss to Shakhtar in London in Matchday 2. Although they took the lead through Meyer, they were unable to hold on to their advantage and conceded three goals.
Nikolić, for his part, sent a clear message ahead of the match, emphasizing that his focus is solely on a positive result. “I’m only thinking about a positive result—if we don’t believe in it, why did we come here to play?” he said, demonstrating his faith in his team’s capabilities.
On the field, Strakosha remains sidelined, while the rest of the players are available to the Serbian coach. It’s possible that Varga could return to the starting lineup as the lead striker alongside Jović, with Nikolić also considering a formation featuring a single forward.
Possible starting lineups:
Manchester City (Enzo Maresca): Donnarumma, Matheus Nunes, Ghechi, Rubén Díaz, Gvardiol, Elliot Anderson, Bouadi, Ndiaye, Enzo Fernández, Cherki, Foden.
AEK (Marko Nikolić): Brignoli, Rota, Mukundi, Relvas, Pilios, Marin, Vitalis, Koita, Mayer, Jović, Varga.
*UEFA has appointed Willy Delazo to referee the match. The 34-year-old French referee, who is a First Division referee (not Elite), officiated the AEK–Panathinaikos 3–0 playoff match on April 24, 2024. His assistants will be his compatriots Erwan Finzan and Valestan Evrar, while Bastian Desepi has been appointed as the fourth official. Belgian Bram Van Driese will be in charge of VAR, with German Christian Dingert serving as AVAR. Delazau previously officiated the Manchester United–Shabab 4–0 match in the Champions League, and has also officiated five Ligue 1 matches, including the Monaco-Marseille 2-0 game.
*photo source: AP
