AEK Athens secured a 1-0 victory over Austrian club LASK Linz in their Champions League opener thanks to a magnificent free kick from Răzvan Marin.
The Romanian midfielder produced the decisive moment of the match by curling a set piece directly into the top corner of the net. His goal sealed all three points for AEK Athens in the opening fixture of the competition's league phase.
Marin's spectacular strike prompted widespread acclaim after the final whistle. The goal was celebrated by his teammates, AEK manager Marko Nikolić, and the home supporters, while European football's governing body UEFA also joined in the praise.
UEFA posted a video clip of the set piece on the official Champions League social media account, describing the execution as a free-kick golazo.
Marin's influence at AEK Athens
The match-winning goal highlighted Marin's growing importance within Nikolić's side. The Romanian midfielder has established himself as a central figure for AEK Athens, consistently impacting matches through both goal creation and direct scoring.
His performance against LASK Linz underscored his ability to deliver in crucial moments on the European stage, reinforcing his reputation as one of the key leaders in the AEK squad.
European campaign context
AEK Athens are competing in the newly formatted league phase of the UEFA Champions League, where teams face diverse opposition across Europe. Based in the capital city of Greece, AEK aim to combine strong domestic form in the Greek Super League with success in continental competition.
LASK Linz, who hail from Upper Austria, entered the match seeking a positive result on their travels. However, Marin's set piece proved the difference between the two teams in an evenly contested opening fixture.
Under the guidance of Serbian head coach Marko Nikolić, AEK will look to maintain their winning start as the Champions League campaign progresses, with Marin expected to remain vital to their tactical setup.
