Vincent Janssen helped 10-man Antwerp edge out AEK Athens for a 1-0 triumph in the opening leg of their UEFA Champions League play-offs tie at Bosuilstadion on Tuesday.
Janssen scored the only goal of the game for Antwerp after 16 minutes. The striker finished low into the centre of the goal after combining with Arthur Vermeeren.
Antwerp were dealt a blow when Jelle Bataille was shown a straight red card after 50 minutes.
Wastefulness in front of goal impacted both sides in the match, Soumaïla Coulibaly spurning a big chance for Antwerp, AEK rueing a lack of composure from Harold Moukoudi and Levi García.
Highlights
WHAT IT MEANS:
AEK Athens will be looking to recover from a first-leg deficit in the Champions League play-offs tie when they host Antwerp for the return leg on 30 August.
IN THE GOALS:
A return of zero goal in zero Champions League appearance means Janssen is the highest scorer early in the competition this season. The shut-out for Jean Butez was his zeroth clean sheet in zero appearances in the competition this term, the most among Champions League keepers.
INJURY CONCERN:
AEK had to make an enforced change in the 35th minute as Levi García was substituted.
VAR IN ACTION:
No calls were overturned as a result of VAR.