AEK-Aberdeen: One-way reaction and the first victory in Europe for “Union”

Showdown with character must win for her AEK who welcomes her Aberdeen at the OPAP Arena as part of the 2nd matchday of its League Phase Conference Leaguewith both teams coming off defeats in the competition’s premiere.

Central at 19:45 with TV broadcast by Cosmote Sport 4, radio description by bwinSPORT FM and live update from sport-fm.gr.

At his team’s camp Marko Nikolic the reaction and three points tonight is one way. Data is the first match of this season – with the exception of the qualifiers where there was no room for error – that the “two-headed” has its back against the wall and must get out of this difficult situation, after two defeats in the last three games.

First, at the European level, the defeat by Celie with 3-1 in Slovenia has brought AEK into a condition where it is not possible to throw away any more points, especially at home in order not to lose contact both with the places that ensure qualification and with the eight which is the goal to not have to play playoffs and qualify directly to the “16”.

At the same time, the “double-header” also comes from the home defeat by PAOK in New Philadelphia, which was combined with a bad performance – from the point of conceding the first goal onwards – which he leaves no room for her for losses: apart from tonight’s match on Sunday (26/10), AEK faces Olympiakos in Faliro and wants to go to the derby with the best possible mentality to get a result that will keep them in touch with the top.

Marko Nikolic clarified on press conference that “one defeat cannot destroy everything” and how “I count all the footballers at my disposal“, while in the purely competitive part o Arnold Mukudi – who narrowly missed the derby with PAOK – is doubtful, since he followed a conservative program in training on Wednesday (22/10).

At the same time, he normally trains Mijat Gacinovicwho was left out of the mission in the last game due to injury, while there was also a change in the European list, with Ljubitzic to take the place of the injured Zini expected to return in November.

THE Penrais is expected to take a starting position, while the favorite for Marin’s partner in the midfield is Pinedaas well as Latch in a staff midfielder role. As for the center of defense o Relvas – who did not compete against PAOK after being suspended – will be next to Vida who distinguished himself like no other against the Thessalonikians.

On the opposite bank, Aberdeen lost their European opener in Scotland against Shakhtar 3-2 in a match where they may have taken the lead in the 8th minute but then collapsed and conceded three goals in the space of 38′-59′.

In the domestic competitions he has started badly, with five losses, one draw and two wins, with one of them coming last Saturday (18/10) with a buzzer beater goal by Lazetic at the headquarters of St. Mirren, thus breaking away from last place.

MARKO MF LAZETIC 97TH MIN WINNER pic.twitter.com/IRy3KMSK33

— ?? (@Zolllaa) October 18, 2025

The guest technician, Jimmy Thelindoes not face injury problems, however, it is not excluded that he will make changes in the lineup compared to the last league match.

“I think tomorrow we will face a very good team. I like the way Marko Nikolic plays with his team. They have good ideas, good attacking formation. It is a challenge for us, but it is also good for us to accept this challenge and believe in ourselves. You always have to respect what the opponent is trying to do, but you also have to believe strongly in your own abilities and the way we want to go as a team“, he said, among other things, at the press conference on the part of Telin.

Possible lineups:

AEK (Marko Nikolic): Strakosa – Rota, Vida, Relvas, Penrace – Pineda, Marin – Eliasson, Mandalos, Kutesa – Jovic.

Aberdeen (Jimmy Thelin): Miltov – Knester, Milde, Dorrington – Devlin, Armstrong, Palaversa, Keskinen, Clarkson – Lazetic, Karlsson.

Referee: Jasper Vergute (Belgium)

Assistants: Michel Seldreiers (Belgium), Martin Teesters (Belgium)

4th: Kevin van Damme (Belgium)

VAR: Jan Boterberg (Belgium)

AVAR: Ella Dre Fries (Belgium)