AEK Athens shifts focus to domestic league after Champions League start

Following a successful start in the Champions League, where AEK defeated LASK 1-0, head coach Marko Nikolic has instructed his players to prioritize domestic duties. The team is currently focused on avoiding further points losses in the Stoiximan Super League after a previous draw against Kifisia. AEK faces a busy schedule before the upcoming three-week international break for the Nations League, starting with an away match against Asteras AKTOR in Tripoli on Sunday at 19:00.

Coach Nikolic intends to balance his squad, though major changes to the starting lineup are unlikely for the Tripoli clash. Strakosha remains sidelined due to injury, with Brignoli expected to continue in goal. Players such as Kairinen, Gacinovic, Zini, Zubkov, and Arriaga are candidates for potential rotation. Following the Sunday game, AEK will host Panserraikos in the Superbet Greek Cup, followed by a league match against Volos. This sequence precedes a demanding period from October 10 to December 20, during which the team must navigate 18 matches across all competitions. Expanding the rotation is considered essential to manage this heavy workload given the increased depth of this year's roster.