Nearly two months after its last official game, Greek champion AEK returns to action, facing De Graafschap (5:00 p.m.) in its first preseason friendly.

Attention is focused primarily on the first glimpses of Marco Nikolić’s team in action, following nearly a week of training in Apeldoorn. AEK fans will have the opportunity to see new signings Kairinen and Zubkov for the first time, as well as Alexiou.

The Serbian coach is expected to give playing time to nearly all available players, fielding two different starting lineups. The only question mark concerns the goalkeeper position, as Strakosha will not play, and Brignoli, Angelopoulos, Balamotis, and Sarakasidis are expected to split playing time.

The first possible starting lineup consists of Rota, Penray, Mukundi, Georgiev, Mandalo, Kairinen, Koita, Zubkov, Jović, and Gacinović, while the second lineup is expected to feature Pilios, Christakopoulos, Relvas, Vida, Sahabo, Marin, Koutesa, Kaloskamis, Zini, and Varga.

AEK will also be supported by numerous fans, as supporters from the Netherlands, Germany, England, and Greece are expected to turn out in force at the stadium.

Facing them, De Graafschap is coming off a strong season in the Dutch second division, where they finished fourth and unsuccessfully sought promotion through the playoffs.

This is a particularly young team, with new coach Thomas Dufenfurden, which has already played two preseason friendlies, beating Utrecht 2-1 and suffering a heavy 7-2 loss to Heerenveen.

*photo source: AEK FC / AEK FC