AEK Athens 4-0 Kallithea: AEK cruise to resounding pre-season victory

AEK Athens began their pre-season preparations in emphatic fashion with a dominant 4-0 victory over Super League rivals Kallithea on August 9, 2026. The Athens giants were in ruthless mood, scoring twice in each half to give their supporters plenty to cheer about at the OPAP Arena.

Match overview

This was a highly impressive display from AEK, who controlled the game from the opening whistle and never looked back. Kallithea struggled to cope with the movement and intensity of their opponents, with the result a clear demonstration of the gap in quality between the two sides at this stage of the summer.

Key moments

• Early breakthrough: AEK opened the scoring in the 12th minute when their right winger cut inside and fired a low shot into the far corner.
• Second goal before the break: A well-worked set piece doubled the lead just after the half-hour mark, as a towering header powered home from a corner.
• Third goal seals the match: AEK secured the points with a stunning strike from the edge of the area in the 55th minute, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
• Late fourth: A fourth goal arrived in the closing stages after a quick counter-attack was capped off with a simple tap-in at the back post.

Tactical story

AEK's 4-2-3-1 shape allowed their full-backs to push high and create overloads in wide areas, which caused constant problems for Kallithea's backline. The midfield duo controlled the tempo, recycling possession patiently and picking out runners between the lines. Kallithea rarely threatened, with their only notable attempt of the first half easily saved by the AEK goalkeeper.

Standout players

The AEK right winger was the man of the match, scoring one goal and creating two more with his delivery in the final third. The club's new central midfielder also enjoyed an excellent full debut, showing composure in possession and scoring the stunning third goal that wrapped up the victory.

What it means

This result gives AEK Athens a boost ahead of their remaining pre-season fixtures, with the coaching staff able to take several positives from a performance that combined attacking creativity and defensive solidity. For Kallithea, the heavy defeat serves as a useful wake-up call, as they look to improve before the start of the Super League season.