Nikolić defends AEK’s performance after 3–1 loss to Shakhtar

“The result is very unfair in relation to what happened on the pitch,” Marko Nikolić said after AEK Athens lost 3–1 to Shakhtar Donetsk at Stamford Bridge.

AEK’s coach was assessing the October 14 Champions League defeat in his postgame press conference, reported by Gazzetta. His remarks are translated from its Greek report.

Nikolić praised his players’ attacking intent, energy and chances. He argued that two refereeing decisions affected the result: the penalty that brought Shakhtar level, and the handling of a substitution that left AEK with 10 players when the hosts scored their second.

Shakhtar’s official account says the penalty followed a VAR review of a foul on Alisson. Pedrinho converted after Lovro Majer had put AEK ahead. Vinicius Tobias and Gleiker Mendoza scored late to settle the game.

Asked about Stavros Pilios, Nikolić praised the defender’s improvement and assist while identifying his second touch as the problem in a missed second-half chance. He also thanked AEK’s traveling supporters and apologized that his team could not give them a win.

Watch AEK’s postgame press conference