On Saturday evening, AEK (19.8., 9:45 p.m., COSMOTE SPORT 1HD, LIVE Sportish) meets Dinamo Zagreb for the second time. This time the crucial “appointment” takes place in the OPAP Arena, the home of the yellow-blacks, where every game was and is a celebration, because football is a celebration.

In other circumstances today there would have been excitement, color, fear and pressure but good psychology after the 2-1 win that was celebrated with a surprise in the first game in Zagreb the Union.

In the Shadow of Murder

But there is turmoil, a standstill. It has been just 12 days since the bloody incidents in New Philadelphia that followed the attack by Croatian hooligans that left one person dead.

Michalis Katsouris was murdered off the pitch at OPAP Arena and his favorite team’s “home” became his…grave in an instant. A shiver. Be silent.

The mood is depressed today. And anyone who passes the scene of the crime when entering the stadium will be threatened with a cramp in the stomach.

Nevertheless, the people of AEK will put on their yellow and black, take their scarves and jerseys and go to the stadium. He will stand alongside Matias Almeida’s players, who gave their all for Croatia (they came back in self-denial to lose in the second half) and took the first step towards qualifying for the Champions League play-offs.

As with Maximir

Undoubtedly, the burden is enormous. On August 15 it was just as hard, maybe even harder. Although of course AEK was called upon to compete for its story in Maksimir under very adverse circumstances, and the family of the late Michalis not only coped, but also spoke with the raised fist of Galanopoulos.

In the first 45 minutes we didn’t see the AEK we were used to last season, it was a different team, from a different year, certainly not from last year. In the second part, however, the “Maestro” Almeida flipped the switch and brought his team together. AEK emerged thirsty and more confident that they will claim victory.

After the 1:1 against Zuber, the yellow-blacks had reached a breath from the source, only drinking water was missing. So they didn’t stop for a moment.

With no brakes, they finally got what they wanted. They wrote a fitting epilogue to go with the evening. In the 90s, the savior Galanopoulos spoke up, scored and raised his fist in the sky, for Michalis, for AEK, for all victims of fan violence, for everyone who wants to make football a celebration.

Well, the Union has the lead and holds the Champions League play-off qualifiers in her hands as long as she doesn’t let herself be tempted to do it… like in Maksimir.

Draconian Measures

Many mistakes were made. A man didn’t lose his life by accident. But we’re not here to point fingers, speculate, and blame. The authorities have taken over and we all hope that the authorities will clear up the mess and find Michalis’ killer.

So, as I said, mistakes were made, but there are no more. That’s why the security measures in today’s game will be draconian, just like it happened in Zagreb and the situation is reminiscent of a war zone.

Thousands of police officers will patrol both around the stadium and in the wider New Philadelphia area The game takes place in the presence of a prosecutor.

AEK has taken care with announcements and warnings to make it clear that measures on and off the pitch will be extra strict to ensure the game runs smoothly and urges its fans to show respect to the memory of Michalis and him to protect team.

With motto: “For Michael”

“A qualification that will be the greatest tribute to Michalis”, PAE AEK said in its announcement. A fight that is not only competitive, but also has a moral motivation.

Matias Almeida’s players will not only be struggling to ensure their presence in the playoffs of the top club competition, but they will also have to make a ‘performance’ dedicated to Michalis.

They will play for him and his family, who will be in the stands of the OPAP arena, to end up shouting together: “For Michael!”… hoping there will never be another Michael in the future.