A largely even game in Athens was almost decided by a calamitous defensive error from the hosts.
The Athenians had the best of the first half, but Geta ended pretty strongly, and were rewarde dwith a goal. Manu strode up the right flank and cut the ball across goal to Braulio, but the on-loan Atleti man couldn't quite reach it. Thankfully for Geta, though, the AEK defender cleared the ball dreadfully - and only as far as Ruben de la Red, who stroked home three minutes from time.
However, deep into stoppage time, Blanco netted after a corner to give the Greeks a fighting chance in the second leg.
That gives Geta a narrow advantage ahead of the second leg, although I imagine that AEK will play with much greater intensity than they did here.
If we get through, it's either Nuremberg or - more likely - Benfica in the next round.
Showing posts with label aek. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aek. Show all posts
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Squad For AEK, And More
Against the odds, the club seems to be wheeling out the big guns for the trip to Athens.
With Liga survival still nowhere near assured, I thought it likely that they'd rotate heavily, but the 18-man convocatoria speaks for itself:
With Liga survival still nowhere near assured, I thought it likely that they'd rotate heavily, but the 18-man convocatoria speaks for itself:
Goalkeepers: 1.Ustari; 13. Pato.
Defenders: 2. Contra; 3. Cata Díaz; 4. Belenguer; 5. Mario; 12. Licht; 19. Signorino; 21. D. Cortés;
Midfielders: 6. Celestini; 8. Gavilán; 10. De la Red; 22. J. Casquero; 24. Pablo Hernández.
Forwards: 9. Braulio; 14. Manu; 16. Albín; 18. Uche.
Defenders: 2. Contra; 3. Cata Díaz; 4. Belenguer; 5. Mario; 12. Licht; 19. Signorino; 21. D. Cortés;
Midfielders: 6. Celestini; 8. Gavilán; 10. De la Red; 22. J. Casquero; 24. Pablo Hernández.
Forwards: 9. Braulio; 14. Manu; 16. Albín; 18. Uche.
Well, I suppose it remains to be seen who actually starts, but in any case, confidence is low, as this team isn't half of what it could be with Esteban Granero. We miss you, pirate guy.
In any case, things are still lurching along as usual in the Liga. Three defeats, two wins and a draw since the turn of the year is survival form at best, but who knows, maybe we can get another backdoor European ticket via the Copa. Racing are struggling, so the semi-final could go our way.
Angel Torres, the Real Madrid-supporting chairman, has said that he'll stand down in a year or two. Whether or not this is a good thing is too early to say, but it's remarkable the progress that we've made under him, and he'll always be remembered for that.
In any case, things are still lurching along as usual in the Liga. Three defeats, two wins and a draw since the turn of the year is survival form at best, but who knows, maybe we can get another backdoor European ticket via the Copa. Racing are struggling, so the semi-final could go our way.
Angel Torres, the Real Madrid-supporting chairman, has said that he'll stand down in a year or two. Whether or not this is a good thing is too early to say, but it's remarkable the progress that we've made under him, and he'll always be remembered for that.
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