The break is coming to an end for AEK, and attention is now focused exclusively on the resumption of the league and the match against OFI in Nea Filadelfia. Marko Nikolić took advantage of the days without official matches to work in Spata, though he had to deal with numerous absences due to national team call-ups. The training-focused friendlies gave the Serbian coach the opportunity to test players and formations, but now the experiments are coming to an end and preparations for the next official match are beginning.
The international players are gradually returning, with Nikolić expecting to have a much larger portion of the roster at his disposal by midweek. Importantly, there are also positive updates from the medical report. Lazaros Rota has stepped up his training, and barring any setbacks, he is expected to be available for the OFI match. Things are also looking up for Barnabas Varga, who was sidelined from Hungary’s matches due to a knee injury, though nothing serious has been found.
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The case of Thomas Strakosha is more complicated. The Albanian goalkeeper has not experienced any complications in his recovery from a wrist injury, however, his position requires greater caution, both in physical contact and in his return to full competitive action. His condition will be evaluated later this week, while Alberto Brignoli is available and has performed very well whenever he’s had to defend AEK’s goal.
Meanwhile, AEK is waiting for the final international matches to wrap up so that the coaching staff can once again work with a nearly full squad. Luka Jović is among the players returning, while the rest of the international players will rejoin the team in Spata in stages, depending on their national teams’ schedules and their return travel arrangements.
Nikolić will now begin finalizing his selections for OFI, with a few days ahead of him to determine which of the returning players are truly ready to be immediately included in his plans. The break provided time for training and tryouts, but from here on out, the focus shifts back to the standings, with AEK looking to return to competitive action with a win.
*photo source: AP
