AEK desperate for points against German giants Bayern
AEK desperate for points against German giants Bayern
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 3
Languishing in bottom spot of Group E, AEK require a positive result against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League to maintain realistic hope of climbing the standings. AGONAsport previews the battle.
It’s been a pretty tough start to Champions League for AEK. Drawn in a workable group with Ajax, Benfica and Bayern Munich, the reigning Greek champions were expected to be competitive, however they’ve got nothing to show for their efforts after two rounds. On matchday one, AEK were thrashed by Ajax 0:3 on the road, before dropping a heartbreaking 2:3 loss to Benfica in Athens. In a dramatic second half, Viktor Klonaridis scored twice to bring AEK level from a two-goal deficit, but Alfa Semedo fired in winning marker for the Portuguese outfit to leave AEK pointless at the foot of Group E.
Overwhelming favourites to win the group, Bayern Munich began their Champions League campaign with a comfortable 2:0 victory at Benfica as Robert Lewandowski and Renato Sanches scored, however they slipped up in a 1:1 draw with Ajax at the Allianz Arena. Bayern and Ajax currently lead the way in Group E with four points each and the Germans will be hoping to pick up a potentially crucial win in the Greek capital.
Recently, AEK were hit by a three-point deduction in the Super League for fan chaos in the derby against Olympiacos, but the players recovered from that setback to defeat Apollon Smyrnis 2:0 in Rizoupoli on Saturday. Captain Petros Mantalos opened the scoring with a wonderful effort, and with the match approaching its climax, Marko Livaja touched Klonaridis’ pinpoint cross past the goalkeeper. AEK occupy third place of the table with 13 points from seven matches.
Bayern have struggled with new head coach Niko Kovac at the helm. In eight Bundesliga matches, the Bavarians have already conceded two defeats to Hertha Berlin and Borussia Monchengladbach, sitting in fourth position and trailing leaders Dortmund by four points. Nevertheless, Bayern tallied a morale boosting victory at the weekend, seeing off the challenge of Wolfsburg 3:1 away. Lewandowski (2) and gifted Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez hit the jackpot.
TEAM NEWS: AEK
Star Croatian striker Marko Livaja serves the third of a four match ban for a red card received in the Champions League playoffs against Vidi. In a boost to the Athenians, key defender Marios Oikonomou returns from injury and head coach Marinos Ouzounidis could go with three centre-backs to nullify Bayern’s danger. Erik Moran and Christos Almpanis are nursing knocks while Helder Lopes is out with a long term injury.
Possible line-up: Barkas, Bakakis, Oikonomou, Chygrynskiy, Lampropoulos, Hult, Simoes, Galanopoulos, Mantalos, Klonaridis, Ponce.
TEAM NEWS: BAYERN MUNICH
Kovac’s main injury worry concerns 35-year old winger Franck Ribery and Bayern were forced to leave the experienced Frenchman in Germany. Otherwise, Kovac has a full strength squad at his disposal, taking all of his main players to Athens. Prolific Polish striker Robert Lewandowski will be hard to keep off the scoresheet.
Possible line-up: Neuer, Alaba, Sule, Hummels, Kimmich, Martinez, Thiago, James Rodriguez, Robben, Gnabry, Lewandowski.
REFEREE: ALEKSEI KULBAKOV (BLR)
In September, 38-year old Kulbakov was the man in the middle for the Greek national team in the UEFA Nations League, overseeing the 1:2 defeat to Hungary in Budapest. The Belarusian refereed the Borussia Dortmund - Monaco (2:0) match in the Champions League group stage, and in the summer, Kulbakov managed the Benfica - Fenerbahce (1:0) Champions League qualifier and the Shkendija - Rosenborg (0:2) game in the UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds.
Back in the 2011/2012 Europa League, Kulbakov took charge of PAOK’s match against Shamrock Rovers in the group phase, handing out four yellow cards as the Thessaloniki outfit won 3:1.
Referee: Aleksei Kulbakov (BLR)
Assistant referees: Dmitri Zhuk (BLR), Oleg Maslyanko (BLR)
Additional assistant referees: Denis Scherbakov (BLR), Dzmitry Dzmitryieu (BLR)
Fourth official: Yury Khomchenko (BLR)
WHERE TO WATCH
Watch the match on AGONAsport here, available worldwide except in Greece and Cyprus! Find full TV listings for Greece, Australia, Canada and the USA on this link.
by: Shaun Nicolaides
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