Tonight Benfica visits AEK on the second game of the Europa League group phase.
SL Benfica will be received tonight at the OACA Spiros Louis Stadium. This Stadium makes part of the Olympic Complex. The architect Santiago Kalatrava improved and harmonized the Olympic Sports Complex for the Olympic Games in 2004. Calatrava’s master plan and architectural interventions have established a central pedestrian axis, with clearly marked entrances; created a sense of place by developing a landscape Common Domain. To have a project signed by this great Spanish engineer is without any doubt a great honor.
The team of AEK Athens FC was founded in 13 April 1924 and is based in Athens, capital of Greece. The Club was created by a group of refugees of Constantinople, who wanted to provide athletic and cultural diversions for them and also for the Anatolian refugees. Several Athletes took part on the Club’s foundation. The place of that important moment was a shop belonging to Emilios and Menelaos Ionas on Veranzerou Street, in the center of the city. Along the vast history the team of AEK Athens FC won many Titles, such as eleven Greek Championships, thirteen Greek Cups, one League Cup and three Super Cups.
Two players, well known for the reds, are the Portuguese Geraldo Alves and the twenty nine years old Brazilian, Gustavo Manduca. Both represented our Club and play now for AEK Athens grabbing the opportunity the Greek Club gave them.
The AEK's Coach, Dušan Bajević, came from Yugoslavia to command AEK Athens FC. He was the Helenic Club’s striker during four years, where he won the Greek titles in 1978 and 1979. Dušan Bajević told the Press that he had the tactic to defeat Benfica and that after the last weekend loss against Panathinaikos, the team needed a new beggining.
To the Press Jesus told that if the team wins the game it will be important to go on to the next stage. Also David Luiz said that the team is ready to the game and that the team will apply all the energies to get the 3 points.
Jorge Jesus takes 22 players to Athens: Moreira, Júlio César, Quim, Miguel Vítor, Luisão, David Luiz, César Peixoto, Maxi Pereira, Sidnei, Rúben Amorim, Javi García, Aimar, Ramires, Fábio Coentrão, Di María, Felipe Menezes, Carlos Martins, Cardozo, Keirrison, Weldon, Nuno Gomes and Saviola.
Referee
Stefan Johannesson (SWE)
Assistant referee
Mathias Klasenius (SWE) Joakim Flink (SWE)
Additional assistant referee
Markus Strömbergsson (SWE) Ake Andreasson (SWE)
Fourth official
Johan Hamlin (SWE)
UEFA Delegate
Fernand Meese (BEL)
UEFA Referee observer
Stefan Ormandjiev (BUL)
