AEK endure worst start since Super League return

Having only gained 18 points from the opening 12 matches of the season, AEK have endured their worst start to a Super League campaign since returning to the top flight in 2015.

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To put it lightly, AEK have experienced a tough start to the season. Plagued by coaching and disciplinary problems, the Kitrinomavri have given themselves a mountain to climb in the Super League, currently trailing the leading pair of Olympiacos and PAOK by a large nine points with 12 rounds in the books. A disappointing 1-0 defeat against OFI in Heraklion resulted in AEK slipping to a lowly fifth position of the standings with 18 points on the board.

Rumours are now heavily suggesting that Massimo Carrera will soon replace Nikos Kostenoglou as the AEK head coach. Initially, AEK improved greatly when Kostenoglou replaced Miguel Cardoso at the helm in late August, but the results and performance level have since horribly slipped away.

AEK possess the poorest defensive record in the top seven with 17 goals conceded. The Enosis have scored 18 at the other end.

Only Atromitos (18), Panionios (18), Panetolikos (21) and Volos NFC (22) have conceded more goals than AEK in the championship. Asteras Tripolis have also seen the ball hit the back of their net on 17 occasions.

Overall, AEK have made their worst start to a Super League campaign since they earned promotion back to the first tier in 2015. In comparison, when AEK became Greek champions in the 2017/2018 season, they boasted 24 points after 12 matches:

2015/2016: 23 points from 12 games (7 defeats in entire season)

2016/2017: 17 points from 12 games (5 defeats in entire season)

2017/2018: 24 points from 12 games (2 defeats in entire season)

2018/2019: 23 points from 12 games (6 defeats in entire season)

2019/2020: 18 points from 12 games (4 defeats so far)

The upcoming run of consecutive games against Panionios, Xanthi, Asteras Tripolis and Lamia before the Christmas break represent an ideal opportunity for AEK to finally get back on track. Taking into account that Olympiacos and PAOK appear to firmly be in a two-horse race for the Super League title, third place is now the minimum objective for the Athens-based club.

by Shaun Nicolaides

Image Source: to10.gr

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