Our team produced another encouraging performance against high-quality opposition, earning a 1-1 draw with Qatari champions Al Sadd.
Once again, Aris displayed many of the positive characteristics shown throughout the pre-season, including high pressing and effective ball circulation. This time, the team also demonstrated its ability to launch dangerous counterattacks, creating two or three promising opportunities in transition, in addition to several well-constructed attacking moves. One of those chances was converted in the 44th minute, when Werton opened the scoring.
Defensively, Aris also impressed, restricting Al Sadd to very few clear opportunities. The Qatari side's best chance of the first half came in the 17th minute, when Vana Alves produced an excellent save to deny Otávio.
Head coach Artem Radkov started the match with Vana Alves in goal, behind a back four of Yago, Matysik, Lelle and Correia. Sarfo operated as the holding midfielder, with Nikolić and Charalambous playing ahead of him in midfield. Werton and El Allachi started on the wings, supporting Pajé as the central striker.
At the start of the second half, Radkov made four changes, introducing Zadro, Sané, Martynov and Galyata in place of Vana Alves, Yago, Matysik and Lelle. For the first time during the pre-season, several players remained on the pitch beyond the half-time interval. The numerous changes briefly affected the team's rhythm, with Zadro called into action to make two or three outstanding saves, including an excellent one-on-one stop against Firmino, to preserve Aris' lead.
In the 57th minute, Pourikkos replaced Pajé, who was forced off after suffering an ankle injury from a heavy challenge.
Radkov made five further substitutions in the 69th minute, with Werton, El Allachi, Correia, Charalambous and Sarfo making way for the young players Hadzigianniss, Neokleous, Kassianidis, Akamba and Cesar.
Ten minutes later, A. Demetriou replaced the injured Neokleous, prompting a tactical reshuffle as Aris switched to a back three. Despite the adjustment, Al Sadd—who continued with many of their first-team players on the pitch—equalised in the 82nd minute through Yousef.
In the 86th minute, Trimidis came on to replace Pourikkos.
