Razvan Marin scored a direct free kick in the 21st minute and AEK Atenas opened its Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win over LASK at AEK Arena.
The result came in front of about 32,000 spectators and gave AEK a narrow victory in its first match in this phase of the competition. LASK, meanwhile, was trying to earn a point in its debut in the league phase, but one moment from Marin decided it.
One goal, several key moments
The match stayed close throughout. Marko Nikolic was booked in the 12th minute, while Bogarde received a yellow card in the 42nd minute and Andrade was shown a yellow in the 73rd.
AEK Atenas did create other moments of concern for LASK. In the second half, Brignoli saved a chance from Horvath. Later, when the match passed the hour mark, Jovic had a goal ruled out for offside, so the lead remained 1-0.
AEK made a late change in the 91st minute when Gazinovic and Arriaga came on, and the final whistle confirmed the home side's win. For AEK, the opening match delivered the clean, simple kind of result teams often want in European play: one set piece, one finish, and three points.
What the result means
For AEK Atenas, the takeaway is straightforward. Marin's free kick was enough to settle a tight match, and the team showed enough control after the opening goal to protect the lead. For LASK, the offside call on Jovic was the closest it came to changing the game, but the Austrian side left empty-handed from a match that was decided by a single strike.
