AEK defeated Athens Kallithea 4-0 in a pre-season friendly at Nea Filadelfia stadium in front of 20,000 supporters on Saturday. The match served as a general rehearsal for the club ahead of their upcoming Super Cup final against OFI at Pagkritio Stadium.
Hungarian international midfielder Vitalis opened the scoring in the first half of his unofficial debut. Serbian attacking midfielder Mijat Gacinovic then produced a 22-minute hat-trick following a complete lineup overhaul in the second half.
Before kickoff at Nea Filadelfia, AEK and Athens Kallithea honored the memory of Michalis Katsouris. Both clubs paid tribute three years after his murder.
First Half Lineups
AEK manager Marko Nikolic deployed his squad in a 4-4-2 formation to start the match. Strakosha started in goal behind a defensive line featuring Rota, Vida, Relvas, and Penrice.
Vitalis featured in central midfield alongside Kaloskamis despite having completed very few training sessions with his new teammates. Zubkov and Kutesa played on the wings, while Zini partnered Luka Jovic in the attack.
Athens Kallithea manager Vangelis Moras set up the visiting side in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Goalkeeper Angelopoulos started behind defenders Provydakis, Stamatoulas, Mladen, and Anastasiou.
Tzandaris and Bautista operated in central midfield, with Faitakis playing in an attacking midfield role. Frosynis and Lopes played as wingers supporting solitary striker Romo.
Vitalis Opening Goal
AEK controlled possession from the opening whistle due to the difference in category and strength between the two clubs. However, Athens Kallithea maintained a well-organized defensive structure throughout the early stages.
AEK created their first clear opportunity in the ninth minute when Rota delivered a cross from the right flank. Zini made poor contact with the ball, and Jovic was unable to convert the opportunity from close range.
Zubkov brought energy to AEK's right side and threatened the visitors with several powerful long-range shots. The opening goal arrived in the 17th minute through an individual effort from Vitalis.
Rota passed to Vitalis, who evaded Stamatoulas with his first touch. Vitalis then dribbled past Mladen and placed a finish past Angelopoulos to give AEK a 1-0 lead.
Vitalis served as the primary engine in central midfield during the first half. AEK nearly doubled their advantage in the 39th minute when Jovic completed an individual run into the penalty box before shooting wide.
Second Half Hat-Trick
Nikolic changed all 11 players for the second half, introducing a completely different lineup. The adjustments increased AEK's attacking productivity and overall dominance on the pitch.
Goalkeeper Balamotis entered the match behind a new defensive unit of Georgiev, Moukoudi, Alexiou, and Pelios. Kairinen and Mantalos anchored the midfield, while Koita and Majer played on the wings.
Gacinovic joined Varga in the attacking line and scored three goals within a span of 22 minutes. Moukoudi won an aerial duel in the 48th minute and Koita passed to Gacinovic, who struck a long-range shot from outside the penalty area to make it 2-0.
AEK extended their lead to 3-0 in the 51st minute. Majer took a diagonal shot from inside the penalty box that Angelopoulos saved, and Gacinovic scored from the rebound.
Kairinen intercepted the ball high up the pitch in the 70th minute and fed Varga, who set up Gacinovic to place a shot past the keeper for his third goal.
Post-Match Comments
AEK created several additional chances for a fifth goal as the second half progressed. Athens Kallithea threatened in the 89th minute when Cantillo took a diagonal shot that went wide of the target.
Following the match, Nikolic said that AEK wanted this friendly fixture to prepare for official competition. Nikolic added that the club remains open to further activity in the transfer window.
