AEK Athens opens Super League campaign with 4-0 victory over Iraklis at Allwyn Arena

Fast start at Allwyn Arena

Reigning Greek champion AEK Athens opened the 2026-27 Super League season with a 4-0 home victory against Iraklis at Allwyn Arena. AEK initiated early pressure in the sixth minute when Relvas picked out Pilios on the left wing, though the Iraklis backline intercepted the subsequent cutback. The visitors generated their first scoring chance one minute later when forward Kousta dispossessed Marin in midfield and played in Krajnc, whose shot on target was held by AEK goalkeeper Strakosha. AEK responded in the 11th minute to open the scoring. Midfielder Marin delivered a through pass behind the defensive line, allowing Hungarian forward Barnabas Varga to beat advancing goalkeeper Athanasiadis to the ball and score with a sliding finish.

First-half dominance and clinical finishing

AEK maintained offensive momentum and created another opportunity in the 16th minute when Rota sent a cross from the right that Iraklis cleared before it could reach Jovic. Three minutes later, in the 19th minute, Gacinovic played a through pass to Pilios, who crossed into the penalty box. Jovic controlled the delivery with the outside of his right boot and drove a left-footed strike past Athanasiadis into the top corner. Jovic came close to adding a second goal in the 27th minute when he headed Marin's set piece over the crossbar. Iraklis attempted a counterattack in the 35th minute, but Nizet delivered an inaccurate pass. In the 39th minute, Zubkov found Vitalis, whose long-range attempt was deflected onto the crossbar by Athanasiadis, before Jovic tested the goalkeeper again with a strike from distance in the 42nd minute.

Second-half control and bench impact

AEK extended the margin to three goals two minutes into the second half. In the 47th minute, Marin curled a free kick into the penalty box, where Jovic met the ball with a header past former AEK goalkeeper Athanasiadis for his second goal of the contest. Iraklis later had an effort from defender Pina disallowed as the visitors failed to score. Marko Nikolic utilized the commanding lead to rotate his lineup, introducing Angolan forward Zini from the bench. Zini scored the fourth and final goal of the match, confirming that all three of AEK's center-forwards got on the scoresheet during the opening fixture.

Tactical setups and European preparations

Marko Nikolic organized AEK in a 4-4-2 system, deploying Moukoudi and Relvas at center-back with Rota and Pilios as fullbacks, while Vitalis and Marin anchored central midfield alongside wide midfielders Zubkov and Gacinovic supporting the striker duo of Varga and Jovic. Walter Mazzarri fielded Iraklis in a 3-4-3 formation with Pina, Vouros, and Tsakla across a three-man defense, Soria and Nizet operating as wing-backs, Sourlis and Kaimboue in midfield, and Lopez and Krajnc supporting central striker Kousta. The four-goal victory enabled AEK to manage player workload ahead of its qualifying second leg against Bulgarian club Levski Sofia, where qualification for the Champions League league phase will be decided.