Nikolić seeks revenge against Kontis in Super Cup final

AEK Athens coach Marko Nikolić is driven by a desire for revenge against OFI Crete as they face off in the Super Cup final. The match holds particular significance as it marks 30 years since AEK last lifted the Super Cup. Nikolić emphasized the importance of the final, stating, "Thirty years have passed since AEK's last Super Cup, this is an extra motivation for us. There is no sense of a dress rehearsal; it is a final and we treat it as such."

Nikolić's motivation stems partly from a painful memory: AEK's 0-1 defeat to OFI in Athens last January, which led to their elimination from the Greek Cup. This loss, described as a "cold shower," caused significant disruption within AEK, even though the team eventually recovered and had a successful end to the season. For OFI, that victory seemed to galvanize their performance, boosting their confidence and leading them to the cup final.

The match between AEK and OFI last season is considered a pivotal moment for both clubs. AEK, after the setback, regrouped and corrected their mistakes, while OFI's confidence soared, establishing a solid plan that they maintained. Now, as they meet again in the Super Cup final, the coaches have differing perspectives.

Nikolić is seeking not only another trophy for AEK but also personal retribution against his OFI counterpart. Conversely, OFI coach Christos Kontis views the upcoming game as a chance for his developing squad to assert themselves. Kontis believes his team is growing stronger and wants them to play as leading figures rather than underdogs aiming for an opportunistic win.

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Thirty years have passed since AEK's last Super Cup, this is an extra motivation for us. There is no sense of a dress rehearsal; it is a final and we treat it as such.