Nuñez gives Grasshoppers hope

Richard Nuñez's 83rd-minute goal gave Grasshopper-Club the edge in their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie against AEK Athens FC.

Grasshoppers inspired
Swiss champions Grasshoppers, aiming to emulate the success of compatriots FC Basel in the competition last season, have just four points from their first five league games this season, but were inspired by the European stage against their Greek visitors.

Three-man attack
Nuñez, Mladen Petric and Eduardo formed a formidable three-man attack, and but for AEK goalkeeper Dionisios Chiotis, the home side would have been well ahead at the break.

AEK hold firm
However, AEK held firm, and in the second half the visitors who began to threaten. Yiannakis Okkas, Grigorios Georgatos and Vassilios Borbokis all had opportunities, yet the breakthrough, when it arrived, came at the other end.

Breakaway goal
Grasshoppers still had some inspiration left and struck following a swift counterattack. Goalkeeper Fabrice Borer made a vital stop from Okkas, and sent the ball upfield to Petric. The Croatian fed Eduardo, and his cross evaded Chiotis and allowed Nuñez to head in.

Valuable advantage
That advantage could prove valuable for Grasshoppers, who visit Athens in a fortnight's time, when AEK will attempt to join compatriots Olympiacos CFP and Panathinaikos FC in the group stage.