AEK making final Champions League preparations
With the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round looming large, AEK Athens are putting their final preparations in place for the upcoming campaign. AGONAsport takes a look at the situation.
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So far in the summer transfer window, Super League winners AEK have signed Serafeim Giannikoglou (goalkeeper), Marios Oikonomou (defender), Alef (midfielder), Christos Almpanis (striker), Ezequiel Ponce (striker) and Lucas Boye (striker), however there is a possibility that there won’t be any more newcomers.
Taking into account the likely departures of Astrit Ajdarevic and Erik Moran, boss Marinos Ouzounidis is keen on picking up another central midfielder. Nevertheless, at the moment, there is no sign that a transfer is imminent. Initially, the Kitrinomavri were rumoured to be chasing Robin Lod and Mato Jajalo, however the former opted to join Sporting Gijon and the Jajalo link has faded in recent days. AEK are eager to re-sign the experienced Panagiotis Kone, but the 31-year old is still under contract at Udinese and isn’t hurrying the process of transferring to the Enosis.
CHYGRYNSKIY RULED OUT OF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFIERS
In a blow to AEK’s Champions League hopes, key centre-back Dmytro Chygrynskiy has been ruled out for at least a month with a muscle injury received in a friendly match against Atromitos (0:0). The 31-year old Ukrainian is currently undergoing treatment, but there is no chance of him participating in the matches against either Celtic or Rosenborg in early August.
HEADLINE FRIENDLY AGAINST GALATASARAY
On Tuesday, the Enosis will host Galatasaray in a headline friendly game at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, a match which sees the Greek and Turkish champions do battle. While it’s not an official match, the club’s supporters will be relieved to see their team in action again, and the fixture will test AEK’s readiness for the Champions League third qualifying round. Galatasaray won the 2017/2018 Turkish Super Lig by finishing three points above nearest challengers Fenerbahce.
AEK were also due to play Aris in Thessaloniki last Wednesday, but following the tragic events witnessed in the Attica region, the match was called off as a mark of respect.
