Analysis The numbers behind the result
AEK Athens demolish Levski with ruthless first-half blitz
AEK Athens' 4-0 victory was fully deserved, with their early dominance reflected in scoring three goals before the break. Despite Levski Sofia's slight 52% possession edge, AEK were far more incisive, registering 18 shots (7 on target) to Levski's 11 (3 on target) and winning 6 corners to the visitors' 3. Goals from Luka Jovic (7') and Barnabás Varga (12', 29') killed the contest early, with Razvan Marin adding a 55th-minute penalty to compound Levski's misery.
AEK's success stemmed from superior shot quality – their 12 attempts inside the box dwarfing Levski's 3, with Barnabás Varga particularly clinical in scoring twice from three total shots. Levski's only notable attacking output came from range (8 shots outside the box vs AEK's 6), highlighting their inability to penetrate AEK's defence. The hosts' 88% pass accuracy in their own half stifled Levski's press, with creative hub Lovro Majer providing an assist in his 81-minute cameo.
The decisive stat: AEK scored 4 goals from just 1.1 xG (estimated), demonstrating lethal finishing that Levski couldn't match despite similar possession. This was a clinic in transition efficiency from the Greek side.