AEK Athens training sessions continue with twelve players absent for international duty

AEK Athens is currently conducting training sessions without twelve players who have been called up for national team duties. The absent players include Varga, Jovic, Gacinovic, Strakosha, Pilios, Rota, Kaloskamis, Georgiev, Marin, Pineda, Koita, and Sahabo. This situation arises ten days before the start of the Greek Super League playoffs and two weeks before the first leg of the Conference League quarter-final against Rayo Vallecano. Midfielder Pineda is expected to return last, arriving in Spata on Friday following Mexico's match against Belgium in Chicago, just two days before the derby against Olympiacos. Manager Marko Nikolic is concerned about player health and is already missing the suspended Pilios for the opening playoff match. Furthermore, Nikolic faces a potential dilemma regarding whether to request a postponement of the third round of the playoffs if AEK advances to the Conference League semi-finals. The third round matches, including Panathinaikos versus AEK, are scheduled between the two semi-final legs.