Manchester City look to build momentum against AEK Athens

Manchester City return to European action with a point to prove. Enzo Maresca’s side opened their campaign with a solid 2-0 win at Porto but then slipped to a 4-2 home defeat against PSG. Against AEK Athens, on paper the easier opponent, City will be determined to avoid another slip. French referee Willy Delajod will take charge of the game.

Domestically, City have been flawless. They top the Premier League with a perfect 21 points from seven games, the latest a dramatic 3-2 win over Ipswich, after a 3-0 victory at Liverpool and a 5-3 win against Sunderland. They also cruised past Norwich 5-0 in the Carabao Cup.

AEK also have three points and sit 20th in the table, after a 1-0 home win over LASK and a 3-1 loss at Shakhtar Donetsk. Marko Nikolić’s side arrive in good domestic form, with league wins over OFI Crete (3-0) and Volos (2-1), an 8-1 cup thrashing of Panserraikos and a 1-1 draw with Asteras Tripolis.

It will be the first official meeting between the two clubs. City’s record against Greek opposition is strong, having beaten the likes of Olympiacos and Aris Thessaloniki without conceding. The game also marks a milestone for the hosts: their 150th match in the European Cup and Champions League.

Maresca has several selection concerns. Winger Antoine Semenyo is out for around eight weeks with a knee injury picked up against Ipswich, Nico O’Reilly is struggling with back pain, and Mateo Kovačić, Matheus Nunes and Jérémy Doku are doubts. Erling Haaland took a knock at the weekend, but Maresca confirmed the Norwegian is ready to start. AEK will be without injured goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha, while forward Frantzdy Pierrot is not eligible for the competition.

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