With Marko Nikolić urging his players to put the Champions League behind them and focus on their domestic commitments to avoid any further losses, AEK has already turned its attention to Sunday’s match against Asteras in Tripoli (7:00 p.m.) for Matchday 4 of the Stoiximan Super League.
The Serbian coach is unlikely to make many changes—perhaps none at all—to the starting lineup that defeated LASK 1-0 on Tuesday in the League Phase opener. However, it’s not out of the question that we might see one or more of Kairinen, Ariaga, Zubkov, Gacinovic, or Zini in the starting lineup.
In any case, logic suggests that the rotation will begin in the upcoming Cup match in Nea Filadelfia against Panserraikos, in addition to fielding the two players born in 2004 or later.
After all, a three-week break due to the Nations League is coming up, followed by a grueling schedule for AEK, with 18 matches from October 10 through December 20, across the league, the Cup, and the Champions League. During this period, it’s essential to make the most of the rest of the roster, which has greater depth this year.
