UEFA Champions League Gameweek 1
AEK Athens FC 1 - 0 FT Lask Linz
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Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
11' M. Nikolić
21' Răzvan Marin
40' Luka Jovic
Melayro Bogarde 42'
HT
65' Luka Jovic
↓ Robert Ljubicic ↑Alessandro Schöpf 65'
↓ Kasper Jorgensen ↑Florian Flecker 65'
↓ Christoph Lang ↑Sasa Kalajdzic 74'
Andres Andrade 80'
82' ↓ Luka Jovic ↑Ambrósini António Cabaça Salvador
90'+1 ↓ Aboubakary Koita ↑Mijat Gaćinović
90'+1 ↓ Lovro Majer ↑Kervin Arriaga
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
AEK Athens FC
Goalkeepers
Alberto Brignoli 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Lazaros Rota 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
34%
Pass Acc
Harold Moukoudi 
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Filipe Relvas 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Stavros Pilios
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Lovro Majer
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
31%
Pass Acc
Milán Vitális
SWEEPER
2
Cleanups
2
Cleanups
1
Interceptions
1
Blocks
Răzvan Marin 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Aboubakary Koita
SWEEPER
2
Cleanups
2
Cleanups
0
Interceptions
2
Blocks
Forwards
Barnabás Varga
STORMTROOPER
4
Shots
4
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Luka Jović
LATE SHIFT
8
Late Mins
8
Late Mins
82
Total Mins
82
Entry
BENCH
Marios Balamotis 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Domagoj Vida
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Charalampos Lykogiannis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Oleksandr Zubkov
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Petros Mantalos
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kasper Kairinen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
João Mário
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mijat Gaćinović
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kervin Arriaga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Zini
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lask Linz
Goalkeepers
Lukas Jungwirth
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Kasper Jørgensen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Xavier Muken 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
56%
Duel Win %
Alemão
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
50%
Duel Win %
Andrés Andrade
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
George Bello 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Midfielders
Melayro Bogarde
SWEEPER
2
Cleanups
2
Cleanups
2
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Robert Ljubicic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Sascha Horvath
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Forwards
Moses Usor
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Christoph Lang
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
BENCH
Tobias Schützenauer
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Fabian Schillinger
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
M. Verhaeghe
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Miguel Freckleton
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Junior Dibango
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alessandro Schöpf
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Daniel Elfadli
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Krystof Danek
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Naël Kane
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sasa Kalajdzic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Florian Flecker
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
League Standings
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +7
P: 2 GD: +7
P: 2 GD: +7
P: 2 GD: +5
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +5
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -6
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: -5
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
AEK Athens FC
Lask Linz
AEK Athens FC
Lask Linz
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Marin's Early Strike Settles a Tense Battle at Allwyn Arena
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 22/100. While the attacking spectacle failed to ignite, AEK Athens secured a pragmatic, hard-fought victory to open their Champions League campaign.
The Opening Act
The Stakes were palpable as Champions League football arrived at Allwyn Arena. Lask Linz actually edged possession early on, trying to dictate the rhythm of the game with neat midfield exchanges and a patient build-up approach. However, AEK Athens FC carried the much sharper cutting edge whenever they transitioned forward into the final third. The critical breakthrough arrived in the 21st minute when Răzvan Marin found a pocket of space and buried a crucial strike to put the home side ahead. The Austrian visitors struggled to translate their time on the ball into any sort of meaningful penetration, frequently running into a resolute Greek defensive wall that simply refused to budge during the first half. The tactical setup from the hosts proved highly effective, allowing them to absorb pressure while waiting for the perfect moment to counter.
The Turning Point
A relentless barrage of 29 combined shots across the ninety minutes suggested a thrilling, wide-open affair, but the Intensity of the attacking play was heavily masked by notably poor execution in the final third. Out of those numerous attempts, only a combined seven efforts actually managed to test the respective goalkeepers. The match's definitive pivot occurred in the 65th minute. Luka Jovic confidently struck what he thought was the goal that doubled the hosts' advantage, sending the passionate home crowd into absolute raptures. However, a swift and decisive VAR intervention abruptly cancelled the goal. This crucial lifeline kept Lask Linz firmly in the hunt and preserved the incredibly delicate one-goal margin. It instantly shifted the psychological momentum, transforming what could have easily been a comfortable final half-hour stroll into a tense, nervous, and grinding contest.
Defensive Resolution
Despite receiving that significant reprieve from the video assistant referee, the visitors ultimately lacked the necessary firepower to mount a successful late comeback. The Balance of the closing exchanges heavily favored the hosts' rigid defensive structure rather than any expansive attacking flair. Outstanding, disciplined performances from formidable center-backs Filipe Relvas and H. Moukoudi completely neutralized the Austrian attacking threats, ensuring that the Greek goalkeeper was rarely troubled when the pressure mounted. The final referee's whistle confirmed a gritty, hard-earned three points for the home side. While this encounter at the Allwyn Arena was far from a dazzling European classic, closing out these remarkably tight fixtures is exactly what is required to survive the grueling league stage and advance further in this prestigious tournament.
Key Questions
How did VAR change this match?
VAR denied Luka Jovic a 65th-minute goal, preventing AEK Athens from doubling their lead and maintaining the tension until the final whistle.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Early Days at Allwyn Arena Bring Cautious Optimism
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 39/100. With the new league phase just kicking off, an incredibly low Stakes factor means both sides might treat this opening skirmish more like a sizing-up exercise than a do-or-die battle.
The Setup
Matchday one of the UEFA Champions League brings Lask Linz to the Allwyn Arena to face AEK Athens FC on September 08, 2026. While the ultimate objective is securing a top-8 direct qualification spot or at least surviving above the top-24 playoff line, the urgency has not quite materialised yet. A sluggish Form indicator across both camps suggests a cagey start to the European campaign. However, a remarkably high Balance rating points to a tightly contested affair where the Greek side holds a modest edge as pre-match favourites.
Key Battle
The spotlight falls squarely on AEK's leading marksman, Barnabás Varga. His early season exploits will be directly challenged by LASK's midfield structure, heavily reliant on Sascha Horvath stepping up to disrupt the hosts' rhythm. The Stars metric is propped up by these individual clashes, making this the decisive duel that could break open an otherwise tight game.
Our Prediction
AEK Athens FC should edge this contest. Expect a measured, pragmatic approach where the hosts slowly dictate the tempo, eventually grinding down LASK Linz to secure a narrow victory in the second half.