Royal Antwerp and AEK Athens to kick off UCL playoff tie in Belgium
Royal Antwerp vs AEK Athens - 22/08/2023
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Belgian Pro League A champions Royal Antwerp will host Greek champions AEK Athens on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie.
Thanks to the Pro League’s coefficient, Antwerp are starting their Champions League journey in the playoff round. Mark van Bommel is aiming to get Royal Antwerp into the group stage for the first time.
AEK Athens last played in the Champions League group stage was 2020-21. Last season, the Greeks competed in the Conference League playoffs, where they were beaten by Velez Mostar.
Manager Matías Almeyda’s team overcame Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League third qualifying round on penalties, 3-2, and the tie ended 2-2 on aggregate.
The second leg had to be played on Saturday due to previous crowd trouble between the two clubs’ set supporters.
Royal Antwerp striker Vincent Janssen leads the team with four goals in the Belgian Pro League A. Janssen is likely to start against AEK in attack.
Van Bommel will use an attack 4-3-3 formation, with Janssen as the focal point.
The Reds suffered a 1-1 draw at the weekend against OH Leuven. Antwerp led for a large part of the fixture before conceding a late goal.
Unlike in recent summers, Antwerp have not spent quite as heavily in the transfer market. Qualifying for the group stage would be a major achievement for the club.
Van Bommel is expected to be without right-back Kobe Corbanie following surgery. Centre-back Bjorn Engels is unlikely to play following an Achilles tendon injury.
AEK Athens will head to Belgium fresh off their 2-2 draw with Dinamo Zagreb on Saturday in the Champions League third qualifying round second leg. Sergio Araujo and Domagoj Vilda scored AEK’s goals against Zagreb.
The Greeks have been active in the transfer market, signing Mexican international Rodolfo Pizarro from Inter Miami, Orbelin Pineda from Celta Vigo, and Ezequiel Ponce Elche.
Almeyda has just one injury issue going into the game. Paolo Fernandes is out of action following an Achilles tendon injury.
AEK Athens are still in the market to sign new players. Progression to the group stage of the Champions League could dictate their work in the transfer market.
AEK Athens have a recent history in European competition and playing in the Champions League.
The Greeks should escape Antwerp with a narrow 2-1 win on Tuesday night to take home. AEK’s experience in Europe should help them win the first leg.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UCL
372439
2
1 - 2
2.56
23°
3.25
2.10
3.50
3.25
no
no
no
1 - 0(1 - 0)
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