English:
AEK Athens Dominate but Struggle to Draw Against Shamrock Rovers
Athens, Greece – In a match played at the OPAP Arena, AEK Athens and Shamrock Rovers drew in a game where the home team’s overwhelming dominance did not translate into an easy victory. AEK Athens displayed 80% ball possession, firing 30 shots, with 8 on target and 14 off target, and earning 10 corner kicks. However, Shamrock Rovers’ defensive solidity, combined with timely effectiveness, allowed them to maintain the tie until the final moments.
Shamrock Rovers, with ball possession limited to 20% and only one shot on goal throughout the match, managed to take the lead thanks to a penalty converted by G. Burke in the 21st minute. The Irish team was forced to commit 11 fouls and received four yellow cards (G. Burke, D. Watts, D. Cleary, and D. Nugent) as a reflection of their defensive strategy. AEK Athens, despite their control of the game, only committed 8 fouls and received no yellow cards.
AEK Athens finally managed to equalize in stoppage time, with a penalty converted by L. Jovic in the 90th minute, sealing a draw that, given the course of the match, left a bittersweet taste for the Greek team. Spanish referee José Luis Munuera Montero officiated the match.
Substitutions shamrock rovers: at minute 46 D. Watts came in and C. Barrett went out., at minute 46 G. Burke came in and A. McEneff went out., at minute 46 A. Matthews came in and D. Grant went out., at minute 68 J. McGovern came in and D. Mandroiu went out., at minute 72 C. Malley came in and T. Clarke went out.
Substitutions aek athens fc: at minute 46 R. Marin came in and F. Pierrot went out., at minute 46 D. Kutesa came in and A. Koita went out., at minute 90 S. Pilios came in and R. Pereyra went out., at minute 90 M. Gacinovic came in and D. Vida went out.
The teams lined up as follows:
AEK Athens FC
Titulares:
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