AEK experienced in defeating tough times

Just like in the 2016/2017 campaign, AEK endured a tough start to the season with managerial changes, but the team has subsequently made a huge improvement to challenge for second place.

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The signs were looking good for AEK ahead of the championship playoffs. Under the leadership of Massimo Carrera, AEK competed with confidence, flair, and defensive reliability during the second half of the Super League regular season, refusing to let Panathinaikos overtake them into third spot of the table. Following PAOK’s seven-point deduction for their involvement in a multi-ownership scandal, the Enosi were only a single point behind the Dikefalos tou Vorra before the playoffs, but the coronavirus pandemic promptly suspended the league until further notice. Reports have suggested that play could resume in May.

As a result of the lengthy break, no team will be in ideal shape when/if the campaign does resume, however, AEK have plenty of experience of successfully emerging from difficult situations.

AEK endured a similarly turbulent campaign in the 2016/2017 season. Initially, Temur Ketsbaia was in charge when the season started, however, he was replaced by Jose Morais in October. Nevertheless, Morais didn’t remain at the helm for long, leaving in January with Manolo Jimenez being drafted in as a replacement. Despite the troubles throughout the campaign, AEK improved greatly under Jimenez, historically qualifying for the UEFA Champions League preliminaries after storming to victory in the Super League European playoffs.

The similarities between the 2016/2017 and 2019/2020 seasons are there for all to see.

Miguel Cardoso was the manager for the beginning of the current campaign. However, it turned out to be a disastrous decision to hire the 47-year-old by Dimitris Melissanidis, as the Portuguese coach only succeeded in alienating the squad and suffering a decisive 3-1 defeat to Trabzonspor at home in the UEFA Europa League. Nikos Kostenoglou replaced Cardoso as boss after a shock loss to Xanthi in the domestic championship.

Kostenoglou, however, was sacked in late November after a run of poor results. With Carrera working as coach, AEK have suddenly resembled a team that should be challenging for the title, playing with intelligence and picking up the vast majority of available points. AEK are also 90 minutes away from the showpiece game of the Greek Cup after beating Aris 2-1 at the Olympic Stadium in the first leg of the semi-final tie.

2016/2017 season 

Managerial changes: 2

Super League: 1st in European playoffs to qualify for Champions League

Greek Cup: Finalist

2019/2020 season

Managerial changes: 2

Super League: Currently one point behind second-placed PAOK

Greek Cup: Leading 2-1 in the semi-final tie against Aris after first leg 

It now remains to be seen how AEK will perform when the season restarts. Due to the break, all momentum has been lost, however, the Athenians will certainly fancy their chances of repeating the 2016/2017 campaign by hoisting the Greek Cup aloft and qualifying for the Champions League. 

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