Supplier: NikeSponsor(s): Pame stoiximaFeatures: LG Corp In the summer of 2016, AEK after searching for a new coach they ended up with their former player, Temur Ketsbaia.

In the departures, those of Arzo, Cordero, Buonanotte and Djebbour stood out, while after the end of the European games Barbosa departed as well and was immediately replaced by the Greek international, Lazaros Christodoulopoulos.

Winning the cup the previous season brought AEK back to European competitions and the third qualifying round of the Europa League, where they were unlucky to be drawn with French side Saint-Etienne.

AEK started the league well, but their defensive playing style, resulted in facing difficulties in scoring goals and dropped points in easy games.

[5] With the club having already signed Astrit Ajdarevic and the Bosnian international defender Ognjen Vranjes, who came in to replace Lescott, who was released after disagreements with management over his treatment from an injury, were also strengthened with Vinicius Freitas and most importrantly with the loan of the great Argentinian striker, Sergio Araujo from Las Palmas.

Under Jimenez, AEK managed to cover the lost ground, finishing the championship at the fourth place, with only 1 defeat in 3 months and thus advanced to the play-offs.

[6] In the cup, AEK after being the first to pass their group with their opponents Kerkyra, Anagennisi Karditsa and Lamia, easily eliminated Levadiakos for the round of 16 and then Platanias to advance to the semi-finals.

From there the game took off with the red and whites pressing in an episodic match that ended with Almeida playing as the goalkeeper in stoppage time, after the suspension of Anestis and AEK taking a very stressful qualification.