AEK Athens finishes friendlies with ideal 4-0 win over Athens Kallithea, Gacinovic scores hat-trick
Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- AEK Athens defeated Athens Kallithea 4-0 in a friendly match, with Mijat Gacinovic scoring a hat-trick.
- The match was played in memory of Michalis Katsouris, and AEK now prepares for the Super Cup against OFI.
- Gacinovic's goals, along with a debut goal from Vitalis, secured the win for AEK.
AEK Athens concluded their preparation matches with a decisive 4-0 victory over Athens Kallithea in Nea Filadelfeia. The friendly game served as a final tune-up before AEK's upcoming Super Cup clash against OFI in four days.
The standout performer of the match was Mijat Gacinovic, who netted a hat-trick. His impressive offensive display was complemented by a goal from Vitalis, who scored in his unofficial debut for the team. The match was held in memory of Michalis Katsouris, adding a poignant layer to the occasion.
Coach Marko Nikolic utilized his squad effectively, giving playing time to different players in each half. In the first half, Vitalis opened the scoring in the 17th minute after a skillful run and finish, leaving a positive impression. AEK controlled possession for most of the first half, creating further chances through Zini, Jovic, and Zubkov, but could not extend their lead.
In the second half, AEK intensified their attack. Gacinovic scored his first goal in the 48th minute with a powerful shot from outside the box. He quickly added a second goal three minutes later, capitalizing on a rebound. Gacinovic completed his hat-trick in the 70th minute after a defensive error and an assist from Varga, sealing the 4-0 final score.
Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.