vs
Club crests © respective clubs. Used for editorial identification only.
Champions League Returns to Athens
PAE AEK and LASK Linz begin their Champions League league phase campaigns on Tuesday, with neither side a regular at this level. For AEK, European nights under the floodlights carry deep historical weight, but the modern club has had to fight through qualifying rounds just to reach this stage. LASK, under Dietmar Kühbauer, arrive in Greece as Austria’s representatives, looking to prove they belong among Europe’s elite.
The State of PAE AEK
AEK’s squad blends experience with international pedigree. Răzvan Marin, the Romanian international midfielder, offers composure and set-piece quality from central areas. Mijat Gaćinović adds energy and pressing intensity, while Niclas Eliasson provides width and crossing ability from the flank. At the back, Harold Moukoudi and Domagoj Vida form a centre-back pairing with significant top-level experience, both having played in major European leagues. Thomas Strakosha, formerly of Lazio, gives AEK a goalkeeper accustomed to Champions League football. Petros Mantalos remains the heartbeat of the side, a long-serving captain who embodies the club’s identity. With no competitive fixtures completed this season yet, their readiness for a match of this magnitude is an open question.
The State of LASK Linz
Kühbauer’s LASK have built their identity on aggressive pressing and direct attacking play. Alessandro Schöpf and Sascha Horvath bring Austrian Bundesliga know-how and continental experience to midfield. George Bello, the American left-back, offers pace and overlapping runs down the flank. Xavier Mbuyamba, the tall Dutch centre-back, provides aerial dominance. Florian Flecker adds versatility across the front line. Like AEK, LASK enter without completed fixtures this season, so early-season sharpness is a genuine concern for both.
Head-to-Head
These two clubs have rarely crossed paths in European competition. This is a fixture without a deeply embedded rivalry, which makes it something of a blank slate. Neither side carries psychological baggage from previous meetings.
👀 What to Watch
The midfield duel between Răzvan Marin and Alessandro Schöpf could define this match. Marin’s ability to dictate tempo and pick passes from deep will test LASK’s press, while Schöpf’s work rate and positioning could disrupt AEK’s build-up. The other key thread: how LASK cope with the atmosphere. Greek home crowds in European competition are intense, and AEK’s fans will treat this as a statement occasion. Kühbauer will need his defence, particularly Mbuyamba, to stay composed under sustained pressure.
🔮 Prediction
Home advantage and the superior individual quality across AEK’s spine give them the edge. LASK are well-organized but may struggle to impose their pressing game in the heat of an early-season Greek evening. Expect AEK to control possession and find a way through, though LASK have enough about them to stay competitive.
Prediction: PAE AEK 2-1 LASK Linz
Practical Info
Kickoff: 17:45 BST (Tue 8 Sep) / 12:45 PM EDT (Tue 8 Sep) / 18:45 CEST (Tue 8 Sep). Venue not yet confirmed. Where to watch: BBC One & TNT Sports (UK) / CBS & Paramount+ (US) / Canal+ (France) / Sky Sport (Italy) / DAZN (Germany) / Prima Sport & Digi Sport (Romania).
FAQ
- What time is PAE AEK vs LASK Linz?
- The match kicks off at 17:45 BST / 12:45 PM EDT / 18:45 CEST on Tuesday 8 September 2026.
- Where can I watch PAE AEK vs LASK Linz?
- BBC One & TNT Sports (UK), CBS & Paramount+ (US), Canal+ (France), Sky Sport (Italy), DAZN (Germany), and Prima Sport & Digi Sport (Romania).
- What competition is PAE AEK vs LASK Linz?
- This is a UEFA Champions League league phase match, Matchday 1 of the 2026/27 season.
- What is the predicted score for PAE AEK vs LASK Linz?
- PAE AEK 2-1 LASK Linz. AEK's home advantage and stronger individual quality across their squad should be enough to edge a competitive match.
- Who is the LASK Linz manager?
- LASK Linz are managed by Dietmar Kühbauer.