AEK’s preparations are entering the final stretch ahead of tomorrow’s derby against Panathinaikos at the OAKA, for Matchday 9 of the Stoiximan Super League, with Marko Nikolić finalizing his starting lineup.
Preparation time was limited for AEK, as the Cup match against PAOK at Toumba took place in between. The Serbian coach focused primarily on the derby during yesterday’s practice and is waiting for the final session to “finalize” his lineup, as he first wants to assess the condition of the players who saw action midweek.
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The loss to PAOK, however, is not expected to lead Nikolić to change his philosophy. Since the beginning of his tenure at AEK, he has shown that he rarely deviates from his core tactical principles, and he intends to do the same in one of the most important games of the season.
Barring any last-minute issues, everything points to AEK lining up in their familiar 4-4-2 formation, with some significant changes from the starting lineup that took the field at Toumba.
Varga, Koita, Mukundi, and Vitalis are in the running for the starting lineup. The first three, in particular, did not play against PAOK and are now strongly vying for a spot in the starting eleven at OAKA.
The key for AEK is not to adopt a different playing style following the loss at Toumba, but to return to the qualities that have brought them this far: intensity, focus, proper spacing, and greater effectiveness at critical moments.
*photo source: AEK FC / AEK FC
