Match report
Brighton 2–3 AEK Athens FC: Europa League Shock
Brighton
2–3
FT
AEK Athens FC
Sep 21, 2023
In an unexpected turn of events at the Amex Stadium, AEK Athens FC secured a dramatic 3-2 win over Brighton in their UEFA Europa League clash. The home side led twice through João Pedro's penalties but failed to hold off the relentless Greek champions who capitalized on several turning points.
Key Facts
- • Djibril Sidibe (AEK Athens FC) scored first at minute 11.
- • João Pedro (Brighton) equalized from the penalty spot in the 30th minute.
- • Mislav Gaćinović (AEK Athens FC) put AEK ahead again with a goal at minute 40.
- • João Pedro scored his second penalty for Brighton to tie it up at 2-2 in the 67th minute.
- • Eduardo Ponce (AEK Athens FC) secured the victory for AEK with a late goal at minute 84.
Lineups
Brighton
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI
- 23 J. Steele (G)
- 6 J. Milner (D)
- 29 J. van Hecke (D)
- 3 Igor Julio (D)
- 30 P. Estupiñán (D)
- 13 P. Groß (M)
- 11 B. Gilmour (M)
- 7 S. March (M)
- 31 Ansu Fati (M)
- 22 K. Mitoma (M)
- 9 João Pedro (F)
Substitutes
- 2 T. Lamptey
- 18 D. Welbeck
- 24 S. Adingra
- 40 F. Buonanotte
- 34 J. Veltman
- 41 J. Hinshelwood
- 8 Mahmoud Dahoud
- 4 A. Webster
- 1 B. Verbruggen
- 38 T. McGill
- 20 C. Baleba
- 14 A. Lallana
AEK Athens FC
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Starting XI
- 1 C. Stanković (G)
- 29 D. Sidibé (D)
- 4 D. Szymański (D)
- 24 G. Mitoglou (D)
- 28 E. Hajisafi (D)
- 6 J. Jønsson (M)
- 5 N. Amrabat (M)
- 13 O. Pineda (M)
- 11 S. Araújo (M)
- 8 M. Gaćinović (M)
- 7 L. García (F)
Substitutes
- 3 M. Mohammadi
- 14 E. Ponce
- 10 S. Zuber
- 20 P. Mantalos
- 19 N. Eliasson
- 30 G. Athanasiadis
- 99 G. Theocharis
- 12 L. Rota
- 70 R. Pizarro
- 25 K. Galanopoulos
Timeline
-
11' AEK Athens FC Goal · Normal GoalD. Sidibe · Assist: E. Hajsafi
-
28' Brighton Var · Penalty confirmedJoão Pedro
-
30' Brighton Goal · PenaltyJoão Pedro
-
40' AEK Athens FC Goal · Normal GoalM. Gaćinović · Assist: L. García
-
47' AEK Athens FC Card · Yellow CardD. Sidibe
Argument
-
55' Brighton subst · Substitution 1Off: J. Milner · On: T. Lamptey
-
60' AEK Athens FC subst · Substitution 1Off: E. Hajsafi · On: M. Mohammadi
-
65' Brighton Var · Penalty confirmedJoão Pedro
-
66' AEK Athens FC Card · Yellow CardGerasimos Mitoglou
Argument
-
67' AEK Athens FC Card · Yellow CardD. Szymański
Foul
-
67' Brighton Goal · PenaltyJoão Pedro
-
68' AEK Athens FC subst · Substitution 2Off: L. García · On: E. Ponce
-
68' AEK Athens FC subst · Substitution 3Off: S. Araújo · On: S. Zuber
-
69' AEK Athens FC Card · Yellow CardE. Ponce
Foul
-
72' AEK Athens FC Card · Yellow CardM. Gaćinović
Time wasting
-
76' Brighton Card · Yellow CardJan Paul van Hecke
Foul
-
79' AEK Athens FC subst · Substitution 4Off: O. Pineda · On: P. Mantalos
-
79' AEK Athens FC subst · Substitution 5Off: M. Gaćinović · On: N. Eliasson
-
82' Brighton subst · Substitution 2Off: João Pedro · On: D. Welbeck
-
84' AEK Athens FC Goal · Normal GoalE. Ponce
-
86' Brighton subst · Substitution 3Off: K. Mitoma · On: S. Adingra
-
86' Brighton subst · Substitution 4Off: B. Gilmour · On: Facundo Buonanotte
-
90'+8 AEK Athens FC Card · Yellow CardP. Mantalos
Time wasting
Match Stats
| Stat | Brighton | AEK Athens FC |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 8 | 15 |
| Pass Accuracy | 88% | 68% |
| Offsides | 2 | 2 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 15 | 11 |
| Corners | 11 | 2 |
| Total Passes | 618 | 205 |
| Yellow Cards | 4 | 7 |
| Blocked Shots | 4 | 1 |
| Shots on Target | 7 | 6 |
| xG | 2.66 | 1.28 |
| Shots off Target | 4 | 4 |
| Possession | 75% | 25% |
| Accurate Passes | 546 | 139 |
| Shots Inside Box | 11 | 7 |
| Saves | 3 | 5 |
| Shots Outside Box | 4 | 4 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ Djibril Sidibe's early opener put pressure on Brighton, who responded quickly through João Pedro's penalty.
- ▸ Mislav Gaćinović restored AEK's lead just before halftime with a well-executed goal from an assist by Luka García.
- ▸ João Pedro equalized again for Brighton in the 67th minute, only for AEK to stage a late comeback through Eduardo Ponce's goal in the 84th.