AEK Athens made a winning start to their UEFA Champions League league-phase campaign, defeating LASK Linz 1-0 at OPAP Arena thanks to Razvan Marin’s superb first-half free-kick.
Marin settled a competitive fixture in the 21st minute, curling home directly from a set piece to give the Greek side a lead they would defend with increasing determination. It was the decisive moment in a match that remained finely balanced throughout, with LASK enjoying slightly more possession but unable to find a way through.
AEK were the more assertive attacking side in the opening half and finished the match with 18 shots to LASK’s 11. The hosts also won seven corners and put four efforts on target, consistently asking questions of the visitors even after taking the lead.
LASK had their spells on the ball, recording 50.9 percent possession and three shots on target, but AEK’s structure without the ball held firm. The Austrian side were also disrupted by a physical contest, committing 15 fouls to AEK’s seven.
The first half featured further flashes of tension, with Luka Jovic booked for AEK in the 40th minute and Melayro Bogarde cautioned for LASK two minutes later. Andrés Andrade also entered the referee’s notebook in the 80th minute as LASK pushed for a late equaliser.
But AEK protected their narrow advantage through the second half, which ended goalless, and saw out three minutes of stoppage time to secure an important clean-sheet victory. Marin’s 21st-minute free-kick proved the difference as the Athens club claimed three valuable Champions League points in front of their home support.
Key match details
- Result: AEK Athens 1-0 LASK Linz
- Goal: Razvan Marin 21′
- Half-time: AEK Athens 1-0 LASK Linz
- Shots: AEK Athens 18, LASK Linz 11
- Possession: AEK Athens 49.1%, LASK Linz 50.9%
