AEK suffers first pre-season defeat, losing 2-1 to Samsunspor

AEK Athens experienced their first loss during their pre-season preparations, falling 2-1 to Turkish side Samsunspor in their penultimate friendly match in the Netherlands. The defeat marks a setback as the team continues to build fitness and cohesion ahead of the upcoming season.

Coach Marko Nikolić implemented his planned strategy of extensive squad rotation, fielding a starting lineup entirely different from the previous friendly against Zwolle. This approach aimed to provide all players with valuable playing time and allow the coaching staff to evaluate the current condition of the entire roster. The team showed a positive initial performance, applying high pressure and disrupting Samsunspor's ball circulation in the first 30 minutes, which led to an opening goal by Eliasson.

However, AEK's momentum faltered after the initial strong showing. The team lost its competitive balance, revealing defensive vulnerabilities that Samsunspor exploited to mount a comeback. The Turkish side capitalized on AEK's errors to secure the victory, turning the game around in the second half.

The match also featured the unofficial debut of new signing Lovro Majer, who wore the AEK colors for the first time just one day after his acquisition was officially announced. Majer's integration into the team will be a key focus moving forward. In contrast, Zini had to be substituted at halftime due to physical discomfort, adding a note of caution regarding player availability.