AEKAEK AthensClub page
GALGalatasarayClub page
Squad value€86.5m
Squad value€381.5m
Key playerLuka Jović
Key playerVictor Osimhen
Head coachMarko Nikolic
Head coachOkan Buruk
Live on Canal+ · France
Live on DAZN or Prime Video · Germany
Live on RTÉ, Premier Sports or Virgin Media · Ireland
Live on Sky Sport or Prime Video · Italy
Live on Ziggo Sport · Netherlands
Live on Movistar Plus+ · Spain
Live on TNT Sports or Prime Video · UK
Live on Paramount+, TUDN or DAZN · USA
AEK like to keep the ball and build calmly from the back, through their Finnish midfielder Kairinen.
“Η χρήση που του κάνει μέχρι στιγμής ο Νίκολιτς καταμαρτυρεί εμπιστοσύνη: ο Φινλανδός λειτουργεί ως το πρώτο και πιο αξιόπιστο σκαλοπάτι του build up, ο παίκτης που δίνει στην ομάδα τη δυνατότητα να ανασαίνει στην κατοχή.”The way Nikolić has used him so far shows trust: the Finn works as the first and most reliable step of the build-up, the player who lets the team breathe in possession. our translation
Nikolić wants AEK pressing from the first minute to the last, and at home they keep coming at you.
“«Παίξαμε καταπληκτικά, ξεκινήσαμε δυναμικά, ήμασταν συνέχεια στην επίθεση, ασκήσαμε μεγάλη πίεση στον αντίπαλο, συνεχές πρέσινγκ, κάναμε πολλές φάσεις, βάλαμε το πρώτο γκολ, το δεύτερο, δεν σταματήσαμε να πιέζουμε και βάλαμε “φωτιά” στην υπέροχη ατμόσφαιρα που είχαν ήδη δημιουργήσει οι καταπληκτικοί φίλαθλοι της ΑΕΚ.”"We played brilliantly, we started with energy, we were attacking all the time, we put the opponent under great pressure, continuous pressing, we made lots of chances, we scored the first goal, the second, we never stopped pressing and we set fire to the wonderful atmosphere our fantastic fans had already created." our translation
Their midfield is picked for brains rather than legs — passers and thinkers, not runners.
“Η ΑΕΚ του Νίκολιτς δεν ποντάρει στα 6άρια για τα χαφ, αλλά στα 8άρια, αν όχι στα 8-10άρια. Δηλαδή, σε παίκτες «εγκεφαλικούς», που έχουν καλή τεχνική, τακτική και τοποθετήσεις.”Nikolic's AEK does not go for holding midfielders but for playmakers. That is, players who think, with good technique, tactical sense and positioning. our translation
Victor Osimhen is the whole team. He runs, he fights, he takes responsibility and he winds the crowd up. Stop him and you have stopped most of Galatasaray.
“Osimhen, G.Saray'ın her şeyi olmaya devam ediyor. Koşuyor, mücadele ediyor, sorumluluk alıyor, tribünleri ateşliyor, sürekli arkadaşlarının enerjisini yukarı çekmeye çalışıyor.”Osimhen continues to be Galatasaray's everything. He runs, he battles, he takes responsibility, he sets the stands alight, he constantly tries to lift his team-mates' energy. our translation
They can be dragged into a hoof-it, head-it contest. Against a physical side they started hitting it long more often than the opponent did.
“İlk 45’te toplam 64 uzun top oynandı. 36’sı Galatasaray’dandı.”In the first 45 minutes 64 long balls were played in total. 36 of them were Galatasaray's. our translation
When they get it right they put the ball on the grass and pass quickly through the middle. Watch for that switch — it usually decides the game.
“İkinci yarının başlama düdüğüyle sahadaki trend değişti, Rus on numara Batrakov’un da oyuna dahil olmasının etkisiyle Galatasaray topu yere indirdi. Pas hızını artırdı. Sete yerleşti.”With the whistle for the second half the trend on the pitch changed; with the Russian number ten Batrakov coming into the game, Galatasaray brought the ball down to the ground. They increased their passing speed. They settled into possession play. our translation