AEK produced an excellent performance, winning 2-1 at Rijeka, Croatia on Thursday, making an early claim for the top two positions in the Europa League group that also includes Austria Vienna, and Italian giants Milan.
AEK was in control for most of the game, and despite late pressure from the Croatians, they hung on to the three points.
Greek international Petros Mantalos, opened the score at the 15th minute for AEK. Rijeka brought the scores level with Josip Elez on the 29th minute.
Rijeka piled up the pressure at the start of the second half, but created few chances against a well-organized Greek defence.
At the 63rd minute of the game, Lazaros Christodoulopoulos scored the winning goal for AEK with a brilliant swerving free-kick from just outside the box.
Next opponents for AEK is Austria Vienna in Athens on September 28.
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