AEK Athens draws 0-0 at Levski Sofia in Champions League playoff first leg
AEK Athens secured a 0-0 draw against Levski Sofia in Bulgaria, with Luka Jovic hitting the woodwork before next week's return match in Greece.
First-leg stalemate in Sofia
AEK Athens played to a 0-0 draw against Levski Sofia in Bulgaria on Tuesday, leaving qualification for the UEFA Champions League league phase open ahead of the decisive return match. The Greek side, seeking a return to Europe's main club tournament for the first time in eight seasons, controlled long spells of the encounter and generated the best scoring opportunities. Levski Sofia entered the match with intense physical pressure in the early minutes, but manager Marko Nikolic saw his team establish control over possession. Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg oversaw the first leg, which concluded without a score despite sustained territorial dominance from the away side.
Jovic hits the woodwork in first half
Levski threatened early through Serginho, who registered a shot in the 5th minute and sent another effort just wide of goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha's right post in the 17th minute. AEK responded with their best chance in the 20th minute, when midfielder Razvan Marin picked out Lovro Majer, who slid a through ball into the penalty area for Luka Jovic. The Serbian international struck a direct diagonal effort that hit the top of the crossbar. Moments later, in the 32nd minute, Majer delivered a cross into the box that caused confusion among the Levski back line, followed immediately by a misplaced pass from Levski goalkeeper Svetoslav Vutsov. Jovic collected the loose ball in an advantageous position but sent his left-footed shot wide. Levski found space behind left-back Stavros Pilios in the 38th minute, yet Moubarik's resulting shot lacked power and was saved comfortably by Strakosha.
- Serginho takes Levski's opening shot of the match
- Serginho shoots wide of Thomas Strakosha's right post
- Luka Jovic hits the crossbar from Lovro Majer's through ball
- Luka Jovic shoots wide following an error by goalkeeper Svetoslav Vutsov
- Thomas Strakosha saves a low effort from Levski midfielder Moubarik
- Marko Nikolic substitutes Luka Jovic and Lovro Majer for Barnabas Varga and Petros Mantalos
Tactical adjustments and second-half control
Nikolic altered his attacking setup in the 58th minute, withdrawing both Jovic and Majer to bring on Petros Mantalos and Barnabas Varga. The introduction of Mantalos stabilized AEK in possession, enabling the Greek side to control the tempo and apply high pressing for the next 20 minutes. Levski manager Julio Velazquez countered by refreshing his forward line, replacing his Brazilian attackers who had been neutralized by central defenders Harold Moukoudi and Francisco Relvas. Both teams avoided unnecessary risks during the final 10 minutes, choosing caution over aggressive counterattacks.
Decisive return fixture in Athens
The aggregate winner will be determined on 26 August at the Allwyn Arena in Nea Filadelfeia, Athens. Nikolic deployed a 4-4-2 formation in Sofia, selecting Lazaros Rota and Pilios at full-back, Marin and Kaan Kairinen in central midfield, and Aboubakary Koita alongside Zini in wide attacking positions. AEK introduced Mijat Gacinovic and Oleksandr Zubkov in the 81st minute, while Velazquez made defensive substitutions in the 89th minute by introducing Heverton and Stoyanchov. Levski will need an away victory or a penalty shootout win in Athens to deny AEK entry into the group stage.
