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AEK Athens will shortly play two extremely important matches that will determine its future in European competition. These are two of the most important matches in the club’s modern history, with qualification for the Champions League league phase now appearing to be a realistic scenario rather than a distant dream.
These are two of the most important matches in the club’s modern history, with qualification for the Champions League league phase now appearing to be a realistic scenario rather than a distant dream.
From Financial Crisis to Domestic Success
Yet, little more than a decade ago, AEK were not competing against Europe’s strongest clubs. They were experiencing the harsh reality of Greece’s third division. When AEK were defeated 1-0 by Atromitos on April 21th 2013, they faced their first ever relegation to the second division. However, due to severe financial issues, the club decided to participate in the third division as an amateur club. Within two years, AEK managed to return to the top division in the summer of 2015, and since then, the club has reestablished itself as one of the leading teams in Greek football, winning the championship in 2018, 2023 and 2026.
AEK’s Return to European Competition
Domestic recovery did not immediately translate into sustained progress in European competition though. In 2017, AEK began their European duties in the third qualifying round of the Champions League, where they were defeated by CSKA Moscow and subsequently entered the play-off round of the Europa League, eventually reaching the round of 32. In 2018/19 season, AEK secured their first Champions League group stage ticket, since the 20006/07 season. However, drawn in a group with Bayern Munich, Benfica, and Ajax, the club finished without a point, recording one of the least successful group stage campaigns by a Greek team in the competition. In 2019, AEK were eliminated by Trabzonspor and failed to reach the Europa League play offs, while in 2020, they were eliminated at the end of the group stage. In 2021, AEK failed to qualify for European competition after finishing fifth in the Greek league.
Domestic recovery did not immediately translate into sustained progress in European competition though.
Champions League Ambitions
However, over the past year, AEK have begun to establish their presence on the European stage. Last season, they reached the quarter finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League, where they were narrowly eliminated Rayo Vallecano with an aggregate score of 4-3. On 18 and 25 August, ΑΕΚ will compete against either FC Kairat or Levski Sofia for a place in the Champions League league phase after several years of absence from the competition.
Qualification for the Champions League would not simply be another sporting achievement; it would complete an extraordinary journey from financial collapse to domestic success and renewed European ambition.
Qualification for the Champions League would not simply be another sporting achievement; it would complete an extraordinary journey from financial collapse to domestic success and renewed European ambition.