Champions League

3-1: The Shakhtar goes back against the AEK in Stamford Bridge

Next opponent of the Stade Rennais in the Europa League, OFI Crete takes a slam against AEK Athens and does not reassure itself

Marin's free-kick brilliance earns AEK victory over LASK

AEK enters to win in the Champions League with direct free goal

AEK x LASK Linz per minute

AEK's European list comprises three goalkeepers (Strakosha, Brignoli, Balamotis), seven defenders (Rota, Moukoudi, Relvas, Vida, Arriaga, Pilios, Lykogiannis), six midfielders (Mantalos, Marin, Gaćinović, Kairinen, Mäger, Vitalis) and six forwards (João Mário, Koïta, Jović, Zini, Varga, Zubkov). Balamotis appears on list B; Kaloskamis, Derek Kutesa, who has joined Servette, and Martin Georgiev are excluded.

Around 3,000 AEK supporters travelled to Chrysoupoli for the Greek Cup tie against Nestos, singing without a break from start to finish and turning the ground into an annexe of the Agia Sophia Allwyn Arena; Marko Nikolić's team won 2-0.

AEK will open their league phase at home against LASK on Tuesday 8 September at 18:45. The Austrian club has specified that away tickets will be in the holder's name, limited to one per customer account and emailed the day before, and that no organised supporter travel is planned.

AEK submitted their league-phase list with three changes from the play-off list, including the addition of midfielder João Mário, signed recently, and that of Vitalis, who was not eligible in the play-offs having played for Győr.

João Mário, 33, is officially back at AEK, a free agent after leaving Beşiktaş, on a multi-year contract. In a video shot in the Allwyn Arena dressing room, he said: “I am happy to be here, where I felt at home. I hope to see you soon in our stadium. Very happy to be back. Only AEK!” He had scored the decisive goal in the club's 14th league title.

Marko Nikolić said he was “very satisfied” with João Mário's arrival, a player who already knows the place and will need no settling-in period, and was pleased to have no injuries after the match against Nestos Chrysoupoli; he pointed out that the Greek window remained open until 15 September.

Before Thursday morning's UEFA deadline, AEK were still looking for two specific profiles, a centre-back and a left winger able to contribute immediately, while working on the departures of Hakim Sahambo, to be loaned as a priority to where he will play, and Frantzeskos Pierro, outside Nikolić's plans.

AEK Athens confirmed their return to the Champions League after eight years away by thrashing Levski Sofia 4-0 (aggregate score) on 26 August 2026, with a brace from Barnabás Varga.