Possible Lineups and Fantasy Preview of AEK Athens - Rayo Vallecano

Rayo Vallecano

The match will be played today, Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 9:00 PM, at the Agia Sofia / OPAP Arena in Athens. The 3-0 first leg result leaves Rayo in a very favorable position, while AEK needs an epic comeback in front of their fans to stay alive in the competition.

How AEK and Rayo Vallecano Arrive

The Greek team relies on their strength at home and the atmosphere in their stadium to try for a long match, with a lot of intensity and high pressing. AEK knows they will need to score early to sow doubt in the Vallecano squad and turn the second leg into a night of maximum tension. The setting encourages a committed, aggressive Athenian team that must take risks from the start.

Rayo Vallecano, meanwhile, arrives with a valuable advantage but with the obligation to manage the match well. They cannot afford to relax. The idea of Íñigo Pérez's side is to compete with personality, stay organized in defense, and take advantage of the spaces their opponent will leave. The tie seems well on track, but the context of a European night away from home requires maintaining maximum concentration.

Additionally, the match comes marked by several important absences. At AEK, Luka Jovic will miss the game due to suspension, while Petros Mantalos also looks set to miss it due to a muscle injury. On the Madrid side, several European absences continue to affect rotation, although the great news is that Batalla is expected to return between the posts for this decisive match.

Possible Lineups for AEK Athens - Rayo Vallecano

AEK Athens: Strakosha; Rota, Moukoudi, Relvas; Pilios; Koita, Pineda, Marin, Pereyra; Gacinovic; Varga.

Rayo Vallecano: Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Luiz Felipe, Chavarría; Unai López, Pathé Ciss; Ilias Akhomach, Isi Palazón, Álvaro García; Jorge de Frutos.

Players to Watch

From a fantasy perspective, Rayo’s focus is once again on players like Isi Palazón, Ilias Akhomach, and Álvaro García, footballers with the ability to break open the field and punish the concessions of a rival forced to expose themselves. The figure of Unai López will also be very important, as he could be key in providing calm, order, and balance in a game that could have many different phases.

At AEK, much of the hope depends on what Orbelín Pineda, Razvan Marin, and Barnabás Varga can produce. The Greek team will need talent between the lines, penetration, and a lot of effectiveness in the final meters if they truly want to scare the Vallecano side and get closer to a comeback that currently seems very difficult.

Where to Watch AEK Athens - Rayo Vallecano on TV

The match between AEK Athens and Rayo Vallecano can be watched in Spain on Movistar Plus+, on the M+ Liga de Campeones 3 channel. Some programming guides also list it on M+ Liga de Campeones 4.