First Team
LOUIS MOULT | CINCH CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYER OF THE SEASON
15th May 2024
United will need a gold medal performance in the Olympic Stadium in Athens next week after losing the first leg of this Europa League play-off 1-0 to AEK. A goal after just 11 minutes was enough for the Greeks as Rafic Djebbour's strike at the back post still separated the teams at full time.
United's first 45 minutes in European football for five years were a rude awakening as AEK took control of the game and looked the more comfortable side from the start. Playing a neat passing game, the Greek side controlled the first half as United's only threat came from set pieces.
Peter Houston chose to start with Garry Kenneth and Sean Dillon at the heart of the defence with full-backs Dixon and Watson while, up front, David Goodwillie partnered captain Jon Daly. Scott Robertson earned a starting place alongside Buaben, Gomis and Conway in midfield. The Greeks meanwhile were certainly not here to defend and the two big men up front, Djebbour and Lymperopoulos looked like causing problems all night.
AEK, playing in their blue away strip, were first to get close to the opposition goal after eight minutes when good link-up play between Lymperopoulos and Leonardo allowed Kafes into the six-yard box but the man wearing the number one shirt could only poke a weak shot at Pernis.
The Greek side did take the lead two minutes later as they caught United somewhat on the counter-attack down the left. Scocco saw his initial shot blocked but retained possession to fire the ball right across goal into the path of Djebbour who slid in at the backpost to force the ball high into the top corner of the net.
The crowd in a packed Tannadice did their best to lift United and the home side finally threatened the Greek goal after 14 minutes. David Goodwillie found himself wide on the right and his cross was met by captain Daly but he could only head it well over the bar.
Frustrated at conceding such an early goal, United were further annoyed as the referee failed to award them a free kick out wide. Craig Conway unwisely threw the ball away in disgust and was booked by referee Strahonja. A moment later the United player was awarded a free kick and from it United won their first corner of the match. Conway crossed in and, although Garry Kenneth muscled his way to the ball, his header went well wide.
There was then what at first looked like a very nasty moment as Paul Dixon clashed heads with Sanel Jahic leaving both players lying prone on the Tannadice turf. Thankfully, after lengthy treatment, both players were able to return to the field.
The rest of the half was played out in much the same way as United failed to put any meaningful passes together. Daly tried a speculative half-volley from fully 45 yards as the home side struggled to get themselves in front of the opposition's goal. Again, they had to rely on set pieces as Watson fired a fast-paced free kick across the box, forcing goalkeeper Saja to punch the ball clear.
As the first half drew to a close, two AEK players angered refree Strahonja and saw yellow: Scocco was first to be booked before two fouls in ten seconds on Craig Conway saw Lymperopoulos's name also enter the referee's book.
As in the first half, AEK were first to have a shot on goal in the second, this time Leonardo was given time and space to fire a low shot at goal which Pernis just managed to gather low at his right-hand post.
However, United finally gave the crowd something to get out of their seats for after 52 minutes when Conway did well at the corner flag before cutting inside and powering a shot at goal that was blocked by a well-placed defender. United were now playing at a much higher tempo and managing to get round the Greek defence but the threat from AEK was always there. Indeed, the home crowd could easily have been silenced five minutes later as Lagos picked out the unmarked Leonardo at the back post but his weak header was easily held by Pernis. A minute later, Craig Conway was lucky to stay on the pitch after the referee adjudged he had dived out wide but chose not to show a second yellow.
In a sign that United were now playing a bit further up the pitch, on 62 minutes the ball broke to full back Watson but his side-footed shot from 30 yards was high enough not to trouble Saja.
Two former Premiership men were introduced with ten minutes to go as Papa Bouba Diop came on for AEK while Peter Houston replaced Scott Robertson with Danny Cadamarteri as he desperately pushed for a vital equaliser. It nearly came seconds later as United had what was to be their best chance of the game. Paul Dixon managed to find Daly unmarked in the box but, perhaps not realising how much time and space he had, the United captain slewed his left-foot shot wide.
Man of the match: On a night when United never really got into top gear, Garry Kenneth rarely put a foot wrong at the back.
Teams:
United: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Watson, Kenneth, Conway, S Robertson (Cadamarteri 80), Buaben, Gomis, Daly, Goodwillie
Subs not used: Banks, Dods, Douglas, Shala, Casalinuovo, Russell
AEK: Saja, Kafes, Manolas, Jahic, Leonardo (Burns 70), Djebbour (Diop 80), Lagos, Makos, Scocco (Eder 88), Lymperopoulos, Dellas
Subs not used: Arabatzis, Blanko, Karabelas, Georgeas
Referee: Marijo Strahonja
Attendance: 12,116
United's first 45 minutes in European football for five years were a rude awakening as AEK took control of the game and looked the more comfortable side from the start. Playing a neat passing game, the Greek side controlled the first half as United's only threat came from set pieces.
Peter Houston chose to start with Garry Kenneth and Sean Dillon at the heart of the defence with full-backs Dixon and Watson while, up front, David Goodwillie partnered captain Jon Daly. Scott Robertson earned a starting place alongside Buaben, Gomis and Conway in midfield. The Greeks meanwhile were certainly not here to defend and the two big men up front, Djebbour and Lymperopoulos looked like causing problems all night.
AEK, playing in their blue away strip, were first to get close to the opposition goal after eight minutes when good link-up play between Lymperopoulos and Leonardo allowed Kafes into the six-yard box but the man wearing the number one shirt could only poke a weak shot at Pernis.
The Greek side did take the lead two minutes later as they caught United somewhat on the counter-attack down the left. Scocco saw his initial shot blocked but retained possession to fire the ball right across goal into the path of Djebbour who slid in at the backpost to force the ball high into the top corner of the net.
The crowd in a packed Tannadice did their best to lift United and the home side finally threatened the Greek goal after 14 minutes. David Goodwillie found himself wide on the right and his cross was met by captain Daly but he could only head it well over the bar.
Frustrated at conceding such an early goal, United were further annoyed as the referee failed to award them a free kick out wide. Craig Conway unwisely threw the ball away in disgust and was booked by referee Strahonja. A moment later the United player was awarded a free kick and from it United won their first corner of the match. Conway crossed in and, although Garry Kenneth muscled his way to the ball, his header went well wide.
There was then what at first looked like a very nasty moment as Paul Dixon clashed heads with Sanel Jahic leaving both players lying prone on the Tannadice turf. Thankfully, after lengthy treatment, both players were able to return to the field.
The rest of the half was played out in much the same way as United failed to put any meaningful passes together. Daly tried a speculative half-volley from fully 45 yards as the home side struggled to get themselves in front of the opposition's goal. Again, they had to rely on set pieces as Watson fired a fast-paced free kick across the box, forcing goalkeeper Saja to punch the ball clear.
As the first half drew to a close, two AEK players angered refree Strahonja and saw yellow: Scocco was first to be booked before two fouls in ten seconds on Craig Conway saw Lymperopoulos's name also enter the referee's book.
As in the first half, AEK were first to have a shot on goal in the second, this time Leonardo was given time and space to fire a low shot at goal which Pernis just managed to gather low at his right-hand post.
However, United finally gave the crowd something to get out of their seats for after 52 minutes when Conway did well at the corner flag before cutting inside and powering a shot at goal that was blocked by a well-placed defender. United were now playing at a much higher tempo and managing to get round the Greek defence but the threat from AEK was always there. Indeed, the home crowd could easily have been silenced five minutes later as Lagos picked out the unmarked Leonardo at the back post but his weak header was easily held by Pernis. A minute later, Craig Conway was lucky to stay on the pitch after the referee adjudged he had dived out wide but chose not to show a second yellow.
In a sign that United were now playing a bit further up the pitch, on 62 minutes the ball broke to full back Watson but his side-footed shot from 30 yards was high enough not to trouble Saja.
Two former Premiership men were introduced with ten minutes to go as Papa Bouba Diop came on for AEK while Peter Houston replaced Scott Robertson with Danny Cadamarteri as he desperately pushed for a vital equaliser. It nearly came seconds later as United had what was to be their best chance of the game. Paul Dixon managed to find Daly unmarked in the box but, perhaps not realising how much time and space he had, the United captain slewed his left-foot shot wide.
Man of the match: On a night when United never really got into top gear, Garry Kenneth rarely put a foot wrong at the back.
Teams:
United: Pernis, Dillon, Dixon, Watson, Kenneth, Conway, S Robertson (Cadamarteri 80), Buaben, Gomis, Daly, Goodwillie
Subs not used: Banks, Dods, Douglas, Shala, Casalinuovo, Russell
AEK: Saja, Kafes, Manolas, Jahic, Leonardo (Burns 70), Djebbour (Diop 80), Lagos, Makos, Scocco (Eder 88), Lymperopoulos, Dellas
Subs not used: Arabatzis, Blanko, Karabelas, Georgeas
Referee: Marijo Strahonja
Attendance: 12,116
