AEK Athens Edge Past Groningen in Pre‑Season Thriller

In an entertaining international club friendly played at the Euroborg in Groningen on 18 July 2026, Greek side AEK Athens overcame Dutch Eredivisie outfit Groningen 2‑1 in a match that offered both teams valuable minutes ahead of the new season. The game saw flashes of quality from both sides, but it was AEK who made the most of their chances to secure a narrow win.

Match Summary

Groningen took the lead in the 17th minute through a well‑worked move. Midfielder Luciano Valente threaded a pass to winger Olivier Postema, who cut inside and fired a low shot into the far corner past AEK goalkeeper Georgios Athanasiadis. The home side dominated possession early on but struggled to create further clear‑cut opportunities.

AEK grew into the contest and equalised just before the half‑hour mark. A corner from former PAOK playmaker Petros Mantalos was met by centre‑back Harold Moukoudi, whose powerful header gave Groningen keeper Michael Verrips no chance. The goal settled AEK, who began to control the tempo through Mantalos and new signing Nicolás González in midfield.

Second‑Half Decider

The decisive moment came in the 67th minute. A rapid counter‑attack saw AEK striker Levi García sprint clear of the Groningen defence and square the ball for substitute Steven Zuber, who tapped into an empty net. Zuber, a veteran Swiss international, had only been on the field for four minutes and showed the sharpness that AEK manager Matías Almeyda will be hoping for in the coming campaign.

Tactical Observations

• Groningen lined up in a 4‑3‑3 formation, pressing high in the first half but losing intensity after the break – a typical pre‑season pattern.
• AEK switched between a 4‑2‑3‑1 and a 3‑5‑2 during the match, showing tactical flexibility that could be useful in the Greek Super League and European qualifiers.
• Both coaches made multiple substitutions in the second half, with AEK using six changes and Groningen eight, reflecting the friendly nature of the encounter.

What It Means

For Groningen, the defeat was a reality check as they prepare for the Eredivisie kick‑off in two weeks. Head coach Dick Lukkien will be encouraged by the performance of young midfielder Valente but will want more cutting edge in the final third. AEK, meanwhile, continue their unbeaten pre‑season run (three wins, two draws) and appear in good shape ahead of their UEFA Conference League qualifying tie later this month.