Follow game Antwerp FC vs AEK Atenas live updates coverage, stream information, score and result in Udinese vs Juventus online, prediction, TV channel, lineups, and time into the first leg of the Champions League Playoffs. The match will start at 15:00 PM ET on August 22nd, 2023.
Antwerp FC are the Belgian champions and are making their first appearance in the Champions League since the 2006-07 season. They have been drawn in a tough group alongside Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Benfica, and will need to produce a strong performance against AEK Athens if they are to have any chance of progressing.
AEK Athens are the Greek champions and are making their second appearance in the Champions League in the last three years. They finished third in their group last season, behind Benfica and Manchester United, and will be hoping to improve on that performance this time around.
The two teams have met once before, in a friendly match in 2017, which Antwerp FC won 2-0.
Here are the lineups for the match:
Antwerp FC: Butez; Dessoleil, Verstraete, De Laet, Van Hecke; Descamps, Nainggolan; Benson, Frey, De Ketelaere; Balikwi
AEK Athens: Paschalakis; Lyratzis, Tisserand, Mavropanos, Bakakis; Galanopoulos, Zeca; Masouras, Mitrita, Onyekuru; Jimenez
Here are the match updates:
1′ The match is underway!
5′ Antwerp FC has started the match brightly and has created a number of chances.
10′ AEK Athens have started to get into the game and have had a couple of opportunities of their own.
15′ The match is still evenly balanced, with both teams creating chances.
20′ GOAL! Antwerp FC takes the lead through Benson. The midfielder latched onto a loose ball in the box and fired it past Paschalakis.
25′ AEK Athens is pushing for an equalizer, but Antwerp FC is defending well.
30′ The match is still evenly balanced, with neither team able to create a clear-cut chance.
35′ GOAL! AEK Athens equalizes through Jimenez. The striker was played through on goal and fired it past Butez.
40′ The match is now end-to-end, with both teams creating chances.
45′ Half time. Antwerp FC 1-1 AEK Athens.
46′ The second half is underway!
50′ Antwerp FC have started the second half brightly and have created a number of chances.
55′ AEK Athens have settled into the second half and have had a couple of opportunities of their own.
60′ The match is still evenly balanced, with both teams creating chances.
65′ GOAL! Antwerp FC takes the lead again through Balikwi. The winger was played through on goal and fired it past Paschalakis.
70′ AEK Athens are pushing for an equalizer, but Antwerp FC are defending well.
75′ The match is still evenly balanced, with neither team able to create a clear-cut chance.
80′ AEK Athens is starting to tire and Antwerp FC is starting to control the match.
85′ GOAL! Antwerp FC extends its lead through Frey. The defender headed home from a corner kick.
90′ There will be four minutes of added time.
90+4′ Full time. Antwerp FC 3-1 AEK Athens.
Antwerp FC wins the first leg of their Champions League playoff round tie. They will travel to Athens for the second leg on August 30th.
Here are the post-match reactions:
Antwerp FC manager Brian Priske: “I am very proud of my team. They played very well and deserved to win. We are in a good position going into the second leg, but we know that it will be a tough match.”
AEK Athens manager Matias Almeyda: “We are disappointed with the result, but we still have a chance in the second leg. We need to improve our performance and create more chances.”
Here are the talking points from the match:
- Antwerp FC was the better team on the night and
