The profile of Antwerp, AEK’s opponents in the Champions League playoffs

AEK has to face a big opponent to enter the “golden” groups from Champions Leagueafter the lottery pitted them against the Belgian double, Antwerp.

The two teams faced off in a pre-season friendly, with Union winning 3-0.

On July 23 he captured the Belgian Supercup against Mechelen on penalties, while in the league he has seven points from four games so far (wins against Circle Brugge and Kortrijk, losses against Anderlecht and a draw at home to Leuven on Friday).

Last season they won the league in the final, finishing one point ahead of Genk and Union Saint-Jiloise. In Europe, it reached the Conference League playoffs, where it was eliminated by Basaksehir.

Marc van Bommel has been the team’s coach since last season and remains so after winning all the national titles.

Vincent Janssen and 18-year-old defensive midfielder Arthur Vermeeren, whose market value on Transfermarkt is €17,000,000, stand out in the squad. The most famous footballer is captain Toby Alderweireld, who has worn both Ajax and Tottenham.

Its ranks include two former ‘Greeks’, Bjorn Engels, who played at Olympiakos, and Davinos Verhulst of Apollon Smyrna.

Standing out in the transfer market was the transfer of 16-year-old George Ilenikena from Amiens for 6,000,000. On the transfer market, he strengthened himself with young footballers, with Chidera Etjuke (25 years old) being the oldest.

21-year-old stopper William Pazzo left the team for 9,000,000 towards Eintracht Frankfurt, while Alexis de Sarts was also traded to Molenbeek.