Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Friday, March 20, 2026, 08:13 / Updated Friday, March 20, 2026 08:14
AEK Atena, Răzvan Marin's team, qualified for the “quarters” of the Conference League, after 0-2 with Celje (4-0 in the first leg). In the next phase of the competition, he will play against Andrei Rațiu (Rayo Vallecano).
In the shelter of that spectacular 4-0 in the first leg, Răzvan Marin and his teammates did not concentrate as they should in the return from Athens, and the first half ended with a shocking 2-0 for the visitors.
Răzvan Marin escaped without a yellow card and will be able to play against Andrei Rațiu
In the second half, AEK recovered, but only enough to “freeze” the score on the table. The best things made by Răzvan Marin? A shot into the space of the opposing goal, blocked without problems by Celje's goalkeeper, Simon Sluga, and the fact that, in danger of suspension, he did not receive a single yellow card.
He will thus be able to play in the first leg of the “quarter” with Rayo Vallecano, where he will be face to face with Andrei Rațiu. His teammate from the national team didn't have a successful night with Samsunspor either (0-1), qualifying thanks to the victory in the first leg (3-1).
If he escaped suspension, Răzvan Marin had to “swallow”, instead, the anger of his coach, Marko Nikolic. Angry at the way his players handled the return with Celje, the Serbian coach admitted to the cameras that he was disappointed and apologized to the supporters.
Marko Nikolic: “I am angry and apologize to the fans for our performance”
Nikolic scored: “The first half was disastrous, we had opportunities, but our mentality was bad. I didn't even get into the game. The others, on the other hand, scored twice. Fortunately, we had the advantage of that good result from the first game. In the second half we controlled the game and were not threatened, but the first half was a disaster. Shy!
I'm not happy, I'm angry and I apologize to the fans for our performance. Qualifying for the quarter-finals is important, but our performance was not what it should have been. It's nice that we've had a good season so far. We are at the top of the league table. But as I told you, we have to fight in every game, we won't win any game just by walking.”
