Champions League
One is the “cheek” in defense, the second is the stealth that Ponce has to perform
AEK plays everything for everything in his home. Qualifies and offers the opportunity to decompress and increase the Champions League level in defense. A wound on Garcia, no matter what they say. Manos Nabrozidis writes.
AEK were defeated 1-0 in Antwerp but the picture of the game was that Almeida’s tired team will start as favorites in the second leg at the OPAP Arena. This is the trap. Union didn’t have a good evening in Belgium, not because they didn’t make it, but mostly because their defense lacked confidence.
It’s another game where the yellow-blacks concede goals with vertical football. It lacks the “cheek” in defense which, if AEK qualifies, would be an additional reason to upgrade the defensive zone to Champions League level. It’s not that there aren’t good footballers, but under certain playing conditions, something else is required in the Mukudi – Vida duo. Maybe, if not right away, he’ll do a backcheck as well.
The picture of Sidibe for example. He tried, but there were periods when he seemed to be behind. Also, in some moments of the game, he lost a bit of control of the ball when accepting a pass, leaving the competitor and his team vulnerable on counterattacks when the defensive duo was high and struggling when the ball was played off the back.
In such a game, the seats “talk”.
Now more than ever, AEK depend on their stadium to qualify for the Champions League groups and make history by tying their return to New Philadelphia with their name on their footballs. After several years, the draw will take place next week.
The game is refined, the opponent is clever, but this time there is time for more reading and of course rest for the important football players who have the space to offer big nights and emotions. It’s the combination of players and home that needs to come out for AEK to surprise again.
Player Jansen is the big problem
As with Dinamo, AEK also faces a good centre-forward at Antwerp. Petkovic was on the Croatian side and Jansen, of course, on the Belgian side.
And a Dutchman is better than the tireless hunter from Zagreb. Superior technical training, faster and able to transfer power play to fast feet and create problems.
Garcia is a big loss, even if they say it makes a difference
In addition to the 1-0, AEK also has to deal with the problem with Garcia. Yes, he didn’t do well at the two European Championships, but no matter what we do, he’s the benchmark for the team.
Psychology also plays a role in such cases. No matter how well the opponent did their prep lesson, Levi will see them and be scared. Because he knows right from the start how unpredictable he is and which spaces he can create with his jump.
Ponce is a very good footballer, we know that. But he needs time to understand and adapt to the way AEK plays, which is not easy. The concrete role is both complex and difficult.
If Garcia isn’t ready, the Argentine has a week ahead… a tutorial and test with Serres to synchronize his strength with Almeida’s attacking strategy and his teammates’ efforts when the team goes for goal.
Obviously the result is unfair to both AEK and itself as it couldn’t find a way to finish at 10v11. These are in the program. The coach is good and a worker, the team is strong and New Philadelphia is a one star home and capable of qualifying result.
Source: Sport 24
Ruth Waterhouse is an author and sports journalist who writes for Sportish. She is known for her coverage of various sports events and her insightful analysis of sports-related news. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, she has become a respected voice in the sports community.
Former coach of Dynamo Kiev Alexander Showkovsky He should have been sacked in August after a poor performance in the Champions League qualifiers.
The blue-whites, who lost twice to Cypriot Paphos in the 3rd round of the European Cup (0:1 and 0:2), were relegated to the Europa League and then promoted to the Conference League.
“I know that Dinamo management believes that a change of coach could and should be made in the summer, after they lost to Paphos in the Champions League qualifiers.
Then an opportunity arose. But the necessary candidate was not available,” the source said.
Due to the lack of alternatives, the president of the Kiev club decided to leave Shovkovsky as head coach, but in November the Ukrainian specialist was nevertheless fired and left Dynamo.
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.
We continue to examine the future of Donetsk shakhtar To buy tickets directly to the main stage Champions League 2026/27.
This will be possible if the place reserved for the team that wins the Champions League trophy is redistributed.
All important moments of the match are available in LIVE mode Telegram Sport.ua
Donetsk Miner They are in fourth place with a coefficient of 50.250 among the clubs competing for a possible position at the heart of the Champions League.
In the last European week, the Donetsk club added +2.625 points. This increase was achieved with a 0-0 draw with Croatian Rijeka in the 6th round of the Conference League and a sixth place in the main round final table.
Main rival Greek Olympiacos – 56,500 points remaining. The Miners can regain the 6,250-point lead if they perform well in the spring part of the European Cups.
It is interesting that Shakhtar lost the first place in the UPL (Cherkasy has the same number of points as LNZ – 35 points each), and Olympiacos lost the lead in Greece to the AEK team (36 points against 37). Ukrainian striker Roman Yaremchuk plays for the team of the city of Piraeus.
Positions rangers (59,250), 4th in Scotland and Copenhagen (53.375), placed 5th in Denmark, looks less competitive in the rankings due to its position in the national championships. Leader only in championships Dinamo Zagreb And RB Salzburg (44,000 each) but there is no certainty that the turn will come.
Let us remind you that if the cup holder buys a ticket to the Champions League through the national championship, there will be a vacancy in the main squad in the 2026/27 Champions League. In this case, a balance will arise again and if Shakhtar wins the UPL and is ahead of Olympiacos in the UEFA club rankings (or the Greek club does not become the champion of Greece), it can get a direct ticket to the base of the Champions League.
If the Piraeus team is higher in the rankings and takes advantage of the available space, the Donetsk club will start from the 4th quarter of the Champions League, not the 2nd quarter, in case they win in the UPL.
Candidates for direct tickets to the Champions League 2026/27 main stage
(In case the quota reserved for the Champions League champion becomes vacant)
UEFA Club Rankings 2026
infographics
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.
Champions League
Pedri commented on the new format of the Champions League: An unexpected look from a football player
Barcelona midfielder pedri He answered the question about his attitude towards the new format of the Champions League with the general group stage.
“Do I like the new format of the Champions League? I can’t say with 100% certainty which format I like more: this one or the previous one?”
If I have to choose, I will do something new: There were more matches between strong teams in the first stage,” said Pedri, as quoted by Esquire.
Before the 2024/2025 season, the group stage of the Champions League consisted of eight groups of four clubs each. All participants played six matches in their respective foursomes, home and away, against each of the three opponents.
From the 2024/2025 season, a new Champions League format comes into force with a common group stage of 36 clubs; each participant plays eight matches, four away and four at home; The opponents are determined by lot.”
Source: Sport UA
I am a sports journalist who has written for a number of Sportish. I have a background in journalism and have been writing since I was young. My main focus is sports news, but I also write about general news. I am currently working as an author at Sportish.
-
Ligue 13 years agoRenato Sanchez signed in Paris for five years
-
Europa League4 years agoIn transfer alert at Olympiakos for additions and concessions
-
Europa League4 years agoFenerbahce – Eintracht 1: 1: The Germans took 1st place in the Olympiacos group
-
Europa League4 years agoWithout Nainggolan and Samata, the 11th team from Antwerp
-
Europa League4 years agoEuropa League
-
Europa League4 years agoAtalanta announced the acquisition of Boga
-
Europa League4 years agoFears that Zapata will be out for 4 months
-
Premier League4 years agoExcept for the rest of January, Sean was injured