1978–79 AEK Athens F.C. season explained

Club:AEK Athens
Season:1978–79
Manager:Ferenc Puskás
(until 17 March)
Andreas Stamatiadis
Mgrtitle:Manager
Chairman:Loukas Barlos
Chrtitle:Chairman
League:Alpha Ethniki
League Result:1st
Cup1:Greek Cup
Cup1 Result:Runners-up
Cup2 Result:Second round
League Topscorer:
Thomas Mavros (31)
Season Topscorer:
Thomas Mavros (40)
Highest Attendance:35,000 vs Nottingham Forest
(18 October 1978)
Lowest Attendance:2,204 vs Kavala
(8 November 1978)
Average Attendance:14,631
Pattern La1:_blackline_border
Pattern B1:_3_stripes_neck_black
Pattern Ra1:_blackline_border
Pattern So1:_blacktop
Leftarm1:FFEF00
Body1:FFEF00
Rightarm1:FFEF00
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Socks1:FFFF00
Prevseason:1977–78
Nextseason:1979–80

The 1978–79 season was the 55th season in the existence of AEK Athens F.C. and the 20th consecutive season in the top flight of Greek football. They competed in the Alpha Ethniki, the Greek Cup and the European Cup. The season began on 3 September 1978 and finished on 16 June 1979.

Overview

The peculiarities of the 1978–79 season could well mark it as historic for the Greek Football, while it was also the last semi-professional season as with the enactment of law 879/79 in March, all the football clubs were obliged to be converted into S.A. to participate in the first professional championship of the next season. In the summer, there was an "epidemic" of transfers by iconic players among the big teams. AEK were the only club that was left intact. Georgios Delikaris moved from Olympiacos to Panathinaikos, Antonis Antoniadis followed the opposite path and Mimis Domazos left Panathinaikos. Loukas Barlos seized the chance and signed him to AEK. Thus, for one season, AEK had in their roster at the same time the two best Greek footballers of the century, both born in 1942, both named "Mimis": Papaioannou and Domazos. The addition of the "general", Mimis Domazos to the roster, with his leadership skills and tactical mind, gave the already impressive team, the element that made them one of the most spectacular that have ever played in the Greek stadiums. Furthermore, after the departure of the double winner, Zlatko Čajkovski for Zürich, Barlos brought to the club's bench the great Ferenc Puskás, who alongside Domazos were the architects of Panathinaikos' campaign to the 1971 European Cup Final, hoping that AEK would do a similar breakthrough at the European stage.

In the championship, AEK started impressively and were ahead in the standings. Olympiacos were the only rival for the title. While AEK were generously scattering goals and spectacle, while in the opposite of the event, there were many official complaints of the opponents of Olympiacos for attempts of bribery. In the 12th matchday, Oikonomou of Apollon Athens and on the 23rd and the goalkeeper of PAS Giannina, Lisa, reported of bribery on the side of Olympiacos and on the 32nd matchday, after their match against Olympiacos, Rodos punished Doxakis, Papaoikonomou and Skartados for having reduced performance in the match as Olympiacos turned their 3–1 lead in 23 minutes, with the help of the referee as well.[1]

AEK also started their obligations in the European Cup against Porto. The quality of the opponent and the fullness of AEK foreshadowed two ambiguous matches with an uncertain outcome. In Nea Filadelfeia, AEK and their fans experienced a magical European night and witnessed the club's biggest victory in the European Cup with 6–1, which gave AEK a largely securing qualification to the next round. In the rematch AEK opened the score in the first half and in the last half hour of the match they turned off the engines as the Portuguese grabbed the opportunity and scored four goals. Next opponent for AEK, Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest. The "reds" having learned not to underestimate their opponents and being aware of AEK's impressive performance against Porto, came to Nea Filadelfeia for the first leg, completely focused on their goal. Nottingham took the lead early on and at the 21st minute, AEK were left with 10 players after the suspension of Milton Viera. At the end of the half Nottingham doubled their lead and until the match was over the Englishmen played conservatively with AEK managing to reduce in the final 1–2. In the second leg AEK entered the pitch knowing well that a difficult night that awaited them. In the first half, Nottingham easily scored three goals having lost several opportunities to a widen the score, while at the second half, AEK reduced to 3–1 with a header from Bajević. Nottingham completed their imposing appearance with a 5–1 victory and eventually won the trophy.

Towards the end of the championship, AEK presented an inexplicable decline in their performance and in the face of the risk of losing the title after the away defeat by Aris on March 11, Barlos decided to remove Puskás from bench of the team and assigned it to his assistant, Andreas Stamatiadis for the rest of the season. In the cup, it was the first year that the two legged tie, for the quarter-finals and the semi-finals were established, according to the model of European cups. AEK marched through the first three rounds eliminating Kavala, Proodeftiki and Acharnaikos, respectively. In the quarter-final against Anagennisi Epanomi after a 1–1 away draw, AEK won 2–0 in the second leg and qualified to the semi-finals where they faced Panachaiki. In Patras, they were defeated by 3–2, but at home AEK won easily by 5–1. In the final AEK met Panionios who came from two consecutive unexpected qualifications. In the game, while AEK managed to take the lead early on, Panionios succeeded in putting AEK to "sleep", by not letting them impose their frenetic tempo and completed the comeback winning by 3–1, in one of the biggest surprises in the history of the institution.[2]

The end of the championship found AEK and Olympiacos, even in the first place with 56 points and a play-off match for the title was set. Olympiacos either in fear of a possible embarrassment from AEK, or as part of an unofficial deal with the HFF in exchange for silencing allegations of bribery and consequently avoiding demotion, were not going to show up to the match. The excuse was the protest for the refereeing of Charalampos Pamporidis against OFI in the last matchday, considering him responsible for not managing to complete the comeback of a 3–1 loss that would resulted in winning the league. On June 16, at the stadium on Leoforos Alexandras Stadium, AEK were the only team lined up on the pitch. The absence of Olympiacos automatically declared AEK champion with a 2–0 victory without a match.[3] During the season AEK were an unstoppable football machine that dismantled their opponents as they achieved the league's best offense with a total of 90 goals, rewarding their opponents 6 times with 5 goals and 2 with 7 goals. Thomas Mavros was declared the top scorer of the league with 31 goals and 40 in total, winning the European Silver Shoe, just 3 goals behind Kees Kist.[4] In the third place of the top scorers of the league was Dušan Bajević with 24 goals and in the 8th, Takis Nikoloudis with 12. That season would be the last at AEK for the emblematic leader, Mimis Papaioannou which after 17 consecutive years of presence, he would be passed on the pantheon of the legends in the history of the club.[5]

Players

Squad information

NOTE: The players are the ones that have been announced by the AEK Athens' press release. No edits should be made unless a player arrival or exit is announced. Updated 16 June 1979, 23:59 UTC+3.

PlayerNat.Position(s)Date of birth (Age)SignedPrevious clubTransfer feeContract until
Goalkeepers
Nikos ChristidisGKJune 30, 19791976 ArisFree1982
Lakis StergioudasGKJune 30, 19791972 Niki PoligyrouFree1985
Spyros IkonomopoulosGKJune 30, 19791978 AEK Athens U201984
Defenders
Apostolos ToskasCBJune 30, 19791969 TrikalaFree1979
Lakis Nikolaou (Captain)CB / RB / ST / DMJune 30, 19791971 Atromitos₯600,0001979
Babis IntzoglouRB / LB / CBJune 30, 19791976 PanioniosFree1980
Giannis MousourisRB / RM / STJune 30, 19791977 AEL₯3,000,0001982
Petros RavousisCB / RBJune 30, 19791972 Aetos SkydraFree1985
Aris DamianidisCB / RBJune 30, 19791977 EgaleoFree1980
Dimitris KotsosLBJune 30, 19791978 KastoriaFree1980
Stavros LetsasRB / RM / CBJune 30, 19791978 Agioi AnargyroiFree1986
Panagiotis StylianopoulosRB / LBJune 30, 19791978 AEK Athens U201986
Theodoros ApostolopoulosCB1978 AEK Athens U201980
Midfielders
Mimis DomazosAM / SSJune 30, 19791978 PanathinaikosFree1980
Milton VieraCM / DMJune 30, 19791977 OlympiacosFree1980
Lazaros PapadopoulosRM / RWJune 30, 19791973 VeriaFree1979
Dionysis TsamisCM / DM / AMJune 30, 19791972 Panetolikos₯2,300,0001980
Takis NikoloudisCM / AM / RM / LMJune 30, 19791977 IraklisFree1981
Christos ArdizoglouRM / LM / RW / AMJune 30, 19791974 Apollon Athens₯5,000,0001986
Christos KalaitzidisLMJune 30, 19791978 AEK Athens U201981
Dimitris KokkinopoulosRM / RW1978 AEK Athens U201980
Forwards
Mimis Papaioannou (Vice-captain)SS / ST / AMJune 30, 19791962 Veria₯175,0001979
Dušan BajevićST / SSJune 30, 19791977 Velež MostarFree1981
Tasos KonstantinouRW / SS / ST / RM / AMJune 30, 19791972 EPA LarnacaFree1980
Thomas MavrosST / LWJune 30, 19791976 Panionios₯4,000,0001984

Transfers

In

width=200 style="background:#FFDE00Playerwidth=200 style="background:#FFDE00Fromwidth=150 style="background:#FFDE00Feewidth=150 style="background:#FFDE00Datewidth=150 style="background:#FFDE00Contract UntilSource
AEK Athens U20Promotion30 June 1984
AEK Athens U20Promotion30 June 1980
Agioi AnargyroiFree transfer30 June 1986
AEK Athens U20Promotion30 June 1986
KastoriaFree transfer30 June 1980
AEK Athens U20Promotion30 June 1980
AEK Athens U20Promotion30 June 1981
PanathinaikosFree transfer30 June 1980

Out

width=200 style="background:#FFDE00Playerwidth=200 style="background:#FFDE00Towidth=150 style="background:#FFDE00Feewidth=150 style="background:#FFDE00DateSource
OlympiacosEnd of contract
AcharnaikosContract termination
Free agentEnd of contract

Loan out

width=200 style="background:#FFDE00Playerwidth=200 style="background:#FFDE00Towidth=150 style="background:#FFDE00Feewidth=150 style="background:#FFDE00Datewidth=120 style="background:#FFDE00UntilOption to buySource
PanachaikiFree30 June 1980

Overall transfer activity

Expenditure: ₯0

Income: ₯0

Net Total: ₯0

Competitions

Alpha Ethniki

See main article: 1978–79 Alpha Ethniki.

Championship play-off

Greek Cup

See main article: 1978–79 Greek Football Cup.

Matches

Final

European Cup

See main article: 1978–79 European Cup.

Second round

Statistics

Squad statistics

! colspan="11" style="background:#FFDE00; text-align:center" | Goalkeepers|-! colspan="11" style="background:#FFDE00; color:black; text-align:center;"| Defenders|-! colspan="11" style="background:#FFDE00; color:black; text-align:center;"| Midfielders|-! colspan="11" style="background:#FFDE00; color:black; text-align:center;"| Forwards|-|}

Goalscorers

Rankwidth=200 style="background:#FFDE00Playerwidth=120 style="background:#FFDE00Alpha Ethnikiwidth=120 style="background:#FFDE00Greek Cupwidth=120 style="background:#FFDE00European Cupwidth=120 style="background:#FFDE00Total
1317240
2249336
3123015
44228
56017
65005
73003
82002
1102
1012
0202
Own goals1001
Totals 90 24 9123

Hat-tricks

Numbers in superscript represent the goals that the player scored.

width=200 style="background:#FFDE00Playerwidth=200 style="background:#FFDE00Against width=70 style="background:#FFDE00Result width=150 style="background:#FFDE00Date width=150 style="background:#FFDE00Competition Source
Dušan Bajević5–1 (H)1 October 1978Alpha Ethniki
Thomas Mavros5–2 (H)8 November 1978Greek Cup
Dušan Bajević45–0 (H)31 December 1978Alpha Ethniki[6]
Thomas Mavros4–2 (H)14 January 1979Alpha Ethniki[7]
Thomas Mavros5–0 (H)4 February 1979Alpha Ethniki
Thomas Mavros5–2 (A)6 May 1979Alpha Ethniki[8]
Thomas Mavros7–0 (H)27 May 1979Alpha Ethniki

Clean sheets

The list is sorted by competition order when total clean sheets are equal and then alphabetically by surname. Clean sheets in games where both goalkeepers participated are awarded to the goalkeeper who started the game. Goalkeepers with no appearances are not included.

Rankwidth=200 style="background:#FFDE00Playerwidth=120 style="background:#FFDE00Alpha Ethnikiwidth=120 style="background:#FFDE00Greek Cupwidth=120 style="background:#FFDE00European Cupwidth=120 style="background:#FFDE00Total
1130013
22305
Totals15 3 018

Disciplinary record

|-! colspan="17" style="background:#FFDE00; text-align:center" | Goalkeepers|-! colspan="17" style="background:#FFDE00; color:black; text-align:center;"| Defenders|-! colspan="17" style="background:#FFDE00; color:black; text-align:center;"| Midfielders|-! colspan="17" style="background:#FFDE00; color:black; text-align:center;"| Forwards|}

Awards

PlayerAwardSource
Thomas MavrosFWAlpha Ethniki Top Scorer
Dušan BajevićFWGreek Cup Top Scorer

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Η διαχρονική αναξιοπιστία του ομορφότερου παιχνιδιού. contra.gr.
  2. Web site: Το πρώτο Κύπελλο του Πανιωνίου. 9 June 2016. oldfootball.gr. 23 May 2022. 15 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415174954/http://www.oldfootball.gr/k2/user-page/item/237-%CF%84%CE%BF-%CF%80%CF%81%CF%8E%CF%84%CE%BF-%CE%BA%CF%8D%CF%80%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%BF-%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85-%CF%80%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%B9%CF%89%CE%BD%CE%AF%CE%BF%CF%85.html. dead.
  3. Web site: Σαν σήμερα: Ολυμπιακός-ΑΕΚ, "Θρύλε τρέμεις, γι' αυτό δεν κατεβαίνεις". 16 June 2018. sdna.gr.
  4. Web site: Golden Boot Awards. 2 December 2021. RSSSF.
  5. Web site: Περίοδος 1978-1979. 20 May 2015. aekpedia.com. el.
  6. Web site: Σαν Σήμερα: Η «νταμπλούχος» ΑΕΚ αποχαιρέτησε το 1978 στην κορυφή!. 31 December 2021. inaek.com. Online. el.
  7. Web site: 1978-79 : 15η : ΑΕΚ - ΑΕΛ 4-2. vissini.gr. Online. el.
  8. Web site: Χατ-τρικ μέσα σε πέντε λεπτά ο Μαύρος ο Θεός!. 6 May 2015. aek365.org. Online. el.