Last season, AEK managed to reach the semi-finals of the Greek Cup, where it was eliminated by PAOK, thanks to a 1-0 win at the OAKA and a 2-1 win at the Toumba. This season, after beating Kifissia in the «Round of 16» phase with a final aggregate score of 5-1, AEK booked the place in the quarter-finals where they face PAOK once more.

Winning the Greek Cup is one of the main goals of Giannikis’ team and AEK are expected to give everything to advance to the semi-finals of the competition.

AEK’s performance in the league can not be considered satisfactory so far. Although they defeated Apollon 3-0 last time out, before that they had only taken two wins from six games (the wins came against Lamia and Atromitos), and suffered four defeats. Overall, after 21 games, AEK are third in the standings, 14 points behind leaders Olympiacos and five behind PAOK.

This season’s key figures

Last October, 41-year-old expatriate Argyris Giannikis took over as head coach, replacing the Serb, Vladan Milojevic.

The major protagonists of the Union this season are Sergio Araοujo, who returned to AEK from Las Palmas and has already scored eight goals, but also Petros Mantalos, who has registered nine assists.

In the winter transfer market, AEK proceeded with making one new signing, with 27-year-old Alexander Fransson being the team’s only transfer acquisition. The former Swedish international midfielder, who so far has made eight appearances for his country, signed on a free from Norrköping.

Absentees for the second leg

In view of the match against PAOK, the Greek coach can not count on several key players, such as injured trio Mantalos, Vranjes, and Stankovic. The suspended Mohammadi, who was sent off in the recent game with Apollon Smyrnis, is also out, as well as long-term injury victims Galanopoulos and Laci.