AEK Athens secures victory against LASK in Champions League opener

AEK Athens made a triumphant return to the UEFA Champions League, defeating Austrian side LASK 1-0 in their League Phase opening match at the Allwyn Arena on September 8, 2026. The historic victory, witnessed by 33,000 spectators, was secured by a spectacular 21st-minute free-kick goal from Razvan Marin. This performance followed a dominant 5-0 domestic win against Aris just days earlier, where Varga scored a hat-trick.

The match marked AEK’s first Champions League win in nearly two decades, ending a long wait since their 1-0 victory over AC Milan in 2007. Manager Marko Nikolic praised the team's mature tactical approach and atmosphere, noting that they dominated the match and created several additional scoring opportunities. Notably, starting goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha was sidelined for the match due to fitness concerns, leading Alberto Brignoli to step in as the starter.

Looking ahead, AEK aims to build on this positive momentum as they navigate their remaining seven matches in the League Phase. The club, which has now won all four of its home games this season with a combined score of 14-0, remains focused on accumulating enough points to secure a favorable position in the standings by January.