Dnipro dissolves due to bankruptcy – How AEK can be among the strong players of the Conference playoffs

The days are very difficult even… tragic Dinpro.

Of course, apart from the general situation in Ukraine with the state of war (with the sporting action of course continuing as normal), last year’s opponent of Panathinaikos in the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League is on the verge of liquidation due to bankruptcy. Now, he is left without footballers and also with few workers.

As is normal, he cannot participate in the European competitions. Despite this, UEFA allowed their name to appear in Monday’s (22/7) draw for the third qualifying round of the Conference League as… it has not yet been dissolved.

However, a little while later it was announced by the European Federation that the games of Dnipro with Puskas Academy for the 2nd qualifying round of the Conference will not be held, with the Hungarians going through to the next stage without a match with two 3-0 victories.

Now, the above development may signal positive news for AEK’s draw in the Conference playoffs. It is recalled that “Union” was strong in the second qualifying round (it will face Inter D’Escaldes) as well as in the third (where it will face the winner of the Noah-Sliema match).

However, for that to be the case in the Playoffs draw, five already strong teams would have to be eliminated. The beginning, therefore, even in this way was made. Of course, understandably, it is difficult to have four more.

It is recalled that the following 15 teams are among the strong ones of the second qualifier – after the developments with Dnipro: Copenhagen, Basaksehir, Cluj, Legia, Maccabi Haifa, Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Djurgardens, Ghent, Go Ahead Eagles, Omonia, Zalgiris, Guimaraes, Astana, Riga and Olympia Ljubljana.

In order for AEK to avoid the strong teams of the Playoffs – where, among others, teams such as Chelsea, Betis, Fiorentina, Lance and Heidenheim– still “needs” four relevant exclusions.