AEK Athens and LASK target historic first win in Champions League league phase

The UEFA Champions League returns to Athens on Tuesday, with AEK Athens hosting LASK at the AEK Arena in the opening matchday of the league phase.

The fixture marks a significant occasion for both clubs. AEK Athens are returning to Europe’s leading club competition for the first time in seven seasons, while LASK are appearing in the main phase of the Champions League for the first time in their history.

For AEK Athens, this will be the sixth Champions League final-stage appearance in the club’s history. Their most recent campaign came in the 2018-19 season, when they lost all six of their matches against Bayern Munich, Ajax and Benfica.

Their overall record in the group or league phase is modest. AEK Athens have won only two of their 30 matches at that stage of the competition. Both victories came during the 2006-07 season, when they defeated Lille and AC Milan by 1-0.

However, the Greek club enters this campaign in far stronger form. AEK Athens secured their place in the league phase by beating Levski Sofia 4-0 in the second leg of their qualifying tie, having drawn the first meeting. They kept clean sheets in both matches.

The club have also built an encouraging European record in recent seasons. AEK Athens have lost only three of their past 19 continental matches, recording 11 wins and five draws during that run.

LASK, meanwhile, reached the league phase after producing one of the most dramatic comebacks of the qualifying rounds. The Austrian side were beaten 3-0 by Celtic in the first leg of their play-off, but overturned the deficit in the return match with a 5-1 victory after extra time.

That result ended an 11-match run without a win in European competition and secured LASK’s first appearance in the main phase of the Champions League.

Their away record in Europe remains a concern, however. LASK have failed to win any of their past 11 continental matches on the road, losing 10 and drawing one.

The teams have never previously met. LASK have also yet to face a Greek club in European competition.

LASK arrive in Athens as Austrian champions and holders of the Austrian Cup, giving them strong domestic credentials despite their difficult European away form. AEK Athens, though, can draw on home advantage and greater experience of major Champions League nights.

The two sides will be seeking a strong start to a league phase consisting of eight matchdays. For both clubs, victory would provide an immediate boost in a historic campaign and give them an early platform from which to challenge for progress in the competition.