AEK revival reaches crossroads

Debt boost
The fact AEK are even competing in Europe is seen as a minor miracle at the Spyros Louis stadium. Crippled by debt and with confidence at an all-time low following the defection of star names at the start of last season, Santos plugged his squad with young hopefuls and loan signings, notably FC Porto duo Paulo Assunção and Bruno Alves. Somehow, the group gelled, and neither club nor team looked back after benefiting from a ruling that enabled them to write off most of their debts in November.

Fans enchanted
With arrears slashed from a reported €162.8m to €23m, bank accounts were unfrozen and wages paid. The relief was audible, yet AEK still played each match as if it were their last. The fans were enchanted as their side went on a run that brought just two Alpha Ethniki defeats all season, and came within a goal of a return to the UEFA Champions League, averaging 26,700 spectators to the delight of iconic president Demis Nikolaidis, and the club's money men.

Defensive leader
Expectations had been raised and enthusiasm revived, although Nikolaidis and Santos had previously made it clear that their aim was to build a competitive team by August 2007. Santos's primary concern was to replace defensive leader Bruno Alves following his return to the Estádio do Dragão, yet found another gem in Bruno Cirillo, a man whose mastery of the Italian defensive arts has brought continued assuredness to the AEK back line.

'Rewarding experience'
However, it is another Italian, goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino, who has proved the most impressive recruit. It is largely down to his performance in Russia that AEK tackle FC Zenit St. Petersburg tonight with the tie poised at 0-0. Although the threat of an away goal looms, Santos believes his side will once again show their mettle. "It goes without saying that we want to win and progress to the group stage, which will be a rewarding experience for the players and for the club," he said.

Unbeaten
"In order to achieve that, we have to do the two things that football requires and attack and defend well - meaning we must concentrate to the maximum. We have the motive and we must prove we have the balance, the patience and the brains that the situation demands." AEK are unbeaten in four league matches this term, recording their second victory on Sunday at Larissa FC thanks to Oleh Venhlinskiy's first goal for the club. With the Ukrainian's spirits lifted, and Nikolaos Lyberopoulos in form, Zenit could feel the full force of the AEK revival.