AEK prepares for Champions League playoffs while Olympiacos faces leadership changes

Levski Sofia has advanced to the Champions League qualification playoffs after defeating Kairat Almaty with back-to-back 1-0 victories. They are set to face AEK Athens in a two-legged tie, with the first match scheduled for August 18 at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia, and the return leg on August 26 at the Allwyn Arena. AEK has submitted a 22-man roster for these decisive games, excluding players like James Penrice and Niclas Eliasson, who are reportedly close to leaving the club.

Simultaneously, Olympiacos is undergoing a period of instability following their elimination from the Champions League by Nijmegen. Despite the setback, the club has automatically qualified for the Europa League League Phase, with the draw set for August 28. Tensions are high as club owner Evangelos Marinakis scheduled a critical meeting with head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar on August 14 to determine the future of the technical leadership. Reports suggest the club is evaluating potential successors, including Marcelino and Eder Sarabia, alongside plans to bolster the squad with multiple new signings in the coming days.