“Răzvan Marin curls home a free-kick after Bogarde's foul on Koïta gives AEK the opening they needed”
Pivotal“Melayro Bogarde booked for a foul as LASK's discipline starts to fray under pressure”
“AEK make a double substitution, bringing on fresh legs to protect their lead and manage the tempo”
“Andrés Andrade and Marko Nikolić both booked in a chaotic spell as LASK push desperately for a way back”
AEK Athens
LASK
Outstanding performance
AEK Athens•MidfielderAEK Athens made home advantage count, converting a well-worked free-kick through Răzvan Marin in the 21st minute after Koïta had already tested the LASK defense. From there, AEK controlled proceedings with 18 shots to LASK's 11 and a commanding 49-33 edge in dangerous attacks, though their profligacy in front of goal - four big chances missed - meant the scoreline stayed tighter than the underlying numbers suggested. LASK pushed for a way back, committing 14 fouls and picking up bookings for Nikolić, Andrade and others as frustration grew, but their final ball lacked the cutting edge to trouble Aleksandar Jovanović's goal beyond three shots on target. The result keeps AEK's continental form intact and vindicates their status as the more prestigious side on the night, while LASK will need to sharpen their attacking output heading into their next European test.
How entertaining was this match?
Attempt missed. Sasa Kalajdzic from LASK had a header from the center of the box after a corner.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be 3 minutes of added time.
Substitution for AEK Athens: Mijat Gacinovic comes on for Aboubakary Koïta.
Substitution for AEK Athens: Kervin Arriaga comes on for Lovro Majer.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
LASK is awarded a corner after Lazaros Rota concedes.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Alemão from LASK.
Aboubakary Koïta from AEK Athens misses an attempt with a right-footed shot from outside the box, sending it high and wide to the right. Zine assisted him on a fast break.
Zine from AEK Athens has a right-footed shot from the center of the box, but it is blocked. Lazaros Rota provided the assist.
Alessandro Schöpf from LASK is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Razvan Marin from AEK Athens commits a foul.
Attempt missed. Barnabás Varga from AEK Athens heads the ball from the center of the box over the bar. The cross was provided by Lovro Majer after a corner.
AEK Athens win a corner after Andrés Andrade concedes.
Milán Vitális from AEK Athens has a left-footed shot from outside the box, but it is blocked. Lazaros Rota provided the assist.
Substitution for AEK Athens: Zine comes on for Luka Jovic.
Attempt blocked. Razvan Marin from AEK Athens has a right-footed shot from outside the box that is blocked.
Andrés AndradeYellow CardAndrés Andrade from LASK receives a yellow card for a foul.
Andrés Andrade from LASK commits a foul.
Barnabás Varga of AEK Athens wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Filipe Relvas from AEK Athens has his header saved in the center of the goal by Lukas Jungwirth of LASK. The attempt was assisted by Razvan Marin's cross.
AEK Athens win a corner after Xavier Mbuyamba concedes.
Delay is over, and they are ready to continue.
The match is delayed due to an injury to George Bello from LASK.
The match is delayed due to an injury to Lazaros Rota of AEK Athens.
Lazaros Rota from AEK Athens is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by George Bello of LASK.
Substitution for LASK: Sasa Kalajdzic comes on for Christoph Lang.
LASK is awarded a corner after Lazaros Rota concedes.
Corner awarded to AEK Athens after a concession by George Bello.
Attempt blocked. Filipe Relvas from AEK Athens had a header from the right side of the six-yard box that was blocked. Barnabás Varga provided the assist with a cross.
AEK Athens win a corner after Xavier Mbuyamba concedes.
Foul committed by George Bello (LASK).
Lovro Majer of AEK Athens wins a free kick on the right wing.
George Bello from LASK is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Lazaros Rota of AEK Athens commits a foul.
Substitution for LASK: Alessandro Schöpf comes on for Robert Ljubicic.
Substitution for LASK: Florian Flecker comes on for Kasper Jørgensen.
VAR is checking a goal by Luka Jovic for AEK Athens.
Offside called against AEK Athens. Lovro Majer is the player caught offside.
Goal! Luka Jovic scores for AEK Athens with a header from the center of the box. The score is now AEK Athens 2, LASK 0.
Barnabás Varga from AEK Athens commits a foul.
George Bello from LASK wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Robert Ljubicic of LASK.
Razvan Marin of AEK Athens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Alemão from LASK misses an attempt with a left-footed shot from the center of the box.
Attempt missed by Luka Jovic from AEK Athens, who took a left-footed shot from the center of the box.
Kasper Jørgensen from LASK commits a foul.
Aboubakary Koïta of AEK Athens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
George Bello's left-footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Corner awarded to AEK Athens after a concession by George Bello.
Foul committed by Melayro Bogarde of LASK.
Razvan Marin from AEK Athens wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Robert Ljubicic from LASK is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Milán Vitális from AEK Athens commits a foul.
Foul committed by Robert Ljubicic of LASK.
Lazaros Rota from AEK Athens is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Barnabás Varga from AEK Athens has a left-footed shot from the center of the box that is blocked.
Attempt saved. Sascha Horvath from LASK has a right-footed shot from the left side of the box that is saved.
Luka Jovic from AEK Athens commits a handball.
Attempt missed by Robert Ljubicic from LASK, who took a left-footed shot from outside the box.
The second half begins with AEK Athens leading LASK 1-0.
First half ends with AEK Athens leading LASK 1-0.
Attempt missed. Barnabás Varga from AEK Athens heads the ball from very close range after a set piece situation.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 0 minutes of added time.
Lazaros Rota's right-footed shot from outside the box is blocked. He was assisted by Lovro Majer.
Foul committed by George Bello of LASK.
Milán Vitális from AEK Athens wins a free kick on the right wing.
Aboubakary Koïta from AEK Athens has his right-footed shot from outside the box blocked. Razvan Marin provided the assist.
Foul committed by Melayro Bogarde of LASK.
Aboubakary Koïta of AEK Athens wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Melayro BogardeYellow CardMelayro Bogarde from LASK receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Sascha Horvath from LASK has his right-footed shot from outside the box blocked.
Attempt saved. Christoph Lang from LASK has his left-footed shot from the center of the box saved in the middle of the goal.
LASK wins a corner after Alberto Brignoli concedes.
Attempt missed. Lovro Majer from AEK Athens takes a left-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes close and misses to the right from a direct free kick.
Luka JovićYellow CardLuka Jovic from AEK Athens receives a yellow card.
Alemão from LASK commits a foul.
Lovro Majer of AEK Athens wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Razvan Marin of AEK Athens.
Christoph Lang from LASK is awarded a free kick in the attacking half.
Harold Moukoudi from AEK Athens misses an attempt with a header from the center of the box after a corner.
AEK Athens win a corner after Xavier Mbuyamba concedes.
Razvan Marin from AEK Athens wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Melayro Bogarde from LASK commits a foul.
Attempt missed. Barnabás Varga from AEK Athens heads the ball from the center of the box but it goes to the left. Lovro Majer provided the assist with a cross after a corner.
AEK Athens wins a corner after Alemão concedes.
Alemão from LASK commits a foul.
Lazaros Rota from AEK Athens wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Moses Usor of LASK is caught offside.
Goal! AEK Athens leads LASK 1-0. Razvan Marin scores for AEK Athens with a right-footed shot from a free kick.
Melayro Bogarde of LASK commits a foul.
Aboubakary Koïta of AEK Athens wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Aboubakary Koïta from AEK Athens has a left-footed shot from outside the box, but it is blocked. The attempt was assisted by Barnabás Varga.
Barnabás Varga of AEK Athens is caught offside.
Melayro Bogarde from LASK had a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it was saved in the bottom right corner by Alberto Brignoli of AEK Athens. Sascha Horvath provided the assist.
Attempt missed. Sascha Horvath from LASK takes a right-footed shot from outside the box, but it goes too high.
Moses Usor from LASK misses an attempt with a left-footed shot from outside the box.
Milán Vitális from AEK Athens is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Robert Ljubicic of LASK.
Attempt saved. Luka Jovic from AEK Athens has a right-footed shot from the center of the box that is saved.
Andrés Andrade from LASK misses an attempt with a left-footed shot from outside the box.
First half begins.
AEK Athens kick off their long-awaited return to the Champions League proper with a home clash against first-timers LASK. Both sides arrive in excellent domestic form, setting up a fascinating first-ever meeting between the clubs at OPAP Arena.
