The qualification to the “8” will be decided in the second leg on January 17 at “Kleanthis Vikelidis”
Three 24 hours after the “double” in Karaiskakis over Olympiakos and four before the big match with Panathinaikos, AEK remained at 0-0 with Aris at the “OPAP Arena” in the first match between them in the “16” of the Cup and, now, the two teams will “resolve their differences” on January 17 in the “Kleanthis Vikelidis” rematch.
With the psychology at a high after the victory over PAOK, Aris not only “looked into the eyes” of the hosts, but it was the team that in the second half missed the chances to score, unlike Union which did not have a classic chance in throughout the match and it was obvious that the minds of its players were focused on the Super League summit derby with Panathinaikos at the OPA Arena.
Neither team had a “clear” chance in the first 45 minutes. Aris, who lined up with the same line-up that defeated PAOK a few 24 hours ago, was perfectly set up on the field, did not allow the “yellow and black” to find empty lanes and in two or three counterattacks that he took out in good conditions, he was clearly more threatening.
AEK, lined up with 7 changes compared to the “11” that started last Sunday night (7/01) in Karaiskakis (Almeida kept Sidibe, Simanski, Pineda and Tzumber in the original formation) had the initiative of the movements , but it was not essential and if one excludes Zuber’s shot in the 44th minute (out) in the first half, Cuesta had one of the most enjoyable evenings of his career.
The Thessalonikians threatened in the 18th minute with Moron, who was late to catch the shot and gave Mitoglou the opportunity to clear, while ten minutes later Odubatzo entered the area and shot with power, but Simanski managed to put his foot in time and moved away.
In the second half, AEK entered with the intention of pressing early and in the 48th minute, Ponce’s long shot went past the right post of Questa. Quickly, however, Akis Manziou’s team leveled the game and in the 68th minute “touched” the goal with Moron’s cross from the side going wide, while in the 74th minute Athanasiadis made a great intervention in the corner after Gilles’ left volley.
In the 79th, Fabiano sent the ball just wide with a header, in another great opportunity for Aris in the replay.
