Previous meetings predict evenly balanced affair against Benfica
Previous meetings predict evenly balanced affair against Benfica
AEK Athens have mixed experiences of playing Portuguese opposition as they prepare to face Benfica in the second match of the 2018/2019 UEFA Champions League group stages. AGONAsport investigates.
On Tuesday, AEK will play Benfica at the Olympic Stadium in the second game of the Champions League group phase, aiming to get their Group E campaign back on track after a disappointing 0:3 loss to Ajax. Nine years ago, the Enosis faced Benfica in the UEFA Europa League, and if those matches are anything to go by, we can expect a tight, evenly balanced battle between the two sides. Overall, the reigning Greek champions have played Portuguese teams on six occasions, picking up two victories and four losses. Let’s take a closer look at the fixtures in question:
October 1, 2009. AEK - Benfica - 1:0, UEFA Europa League group stage
In the second match of the 2009/2010 UEFA Europa League group phase, AEK hosted Benfica in the Greek capital, attempting to recover from a thumping 0:4 thrashing at the hands of Everton on matchday one. Benfica smacked the woodwork with a driven shot from distance, but AEK slowly settled into the game, opening the scoring on 43 minutes with Daniel Majstorovic rising highest to power an unstoppable header into the right corner. As expected, the visitors threw bodies forward searching for an equaliser, but AEK held on for dear life.
December 17, 2009. Benfica - AEK - 2:1, UEFA Europa League group stage
Already out of contention for a berth in the knockout stage, the Enosis only had pride to play for in Lisbon, however a talented Benfica team had too much quality at the Estadio da Luz. Benfica missed an early penalty, but on the stroke of half time, Angel Di Maria (who subsequently went on to play for Real Madrid, Manchester United and Paris Saint Germain) fired a low effort beyond the AEK goalkeeper. Di Maria then doubled his tally on 73 minutes, and although Ismael Blanco clawed one back for AEK, there was to be no grandstand finish.
OTHER AEK MATCHES AGAINST DIFFERENT PORTUGUESE CLUBS
September 28, 1966. AEK - Braga - 0:1, European Cup Winners’ Cup first round
Back in the 1966/1967 season, the Kitrinomavri met Portuguese opposition for the first time, taking on Braga in the first round of the now extinct European Cup Winners’ Cup. AEK had high expectations for the tie, but the Greeks created a mountain to climb after the maiden leg, falling 0:1 in front of their passionate home fans.
October 5, 1966. Braga - AEK - 3:2, European Cup Winners’ Cup first round
Trailing 0:1 from the first leg in Greece, the odds were stacked against AEK, but Dimitris Papaioannou struck after six minutes to level the tie. All of a sudden, AEK had real belief of pulling off a memorable comeback, but Braga’s Mario Espingardeiro and Miguel Perrichon (2) netted three goals and put the game out of sight. An own goal from Braga player Coimbra completed the scoring.
September 13, 1978. AEK - Porto - 6:1, European Cup first round
In one of the club’s most famous nights on the continental stage, the Athenians destroyed Porto, claiming a huge 6:1 triumph in the opening leg of the European Cup first round. Dusan Bajevic, an AEK legend, set the tone in the first half, registering two excellent goals while Christos Ardizoglou and Anastasios Konstantinou also hit the jackpot. The fun continued in the second set of 45, with Pantelis Nikolaou and Thomas Mavros increasing the lead to six. Antonio Luis Alves Ribeiro Oliveira grabbed a consolation for Porto, but it mattered little.
September 27, 1978. Porto - AEK - 4:1, European Cup first round
After 32 minutes of play in Portugal, Thomas Mavros found the net for AEK, in turn sealing the club’s progress to the second phase. To their credit, Porto refused to wave the white flag and even made AEK nervous by scoring four goals, however they couldn’t overturn the deficit from the first leg and the Kitrinomavri calmly qualified for the next round where they lost 2:7 on aggregate to Nottingham Forest.
by Shaun Nicolaides
Thank you for visiting AGONAsport.com, the only English based website for Greek sports fans across the world! Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and Twitter for all the latest news in Greek Sports!