Ramiz Harakate is missing due to a knee injury, while Art Smakaj and Cheikne Kebe are ineligible. Lang is their leading scorer so far this season with five goals, and he leads the line with Usor.
0'
Dereck Kutesa, Frantzdy Pierrot, Martin Georgiev, Christos Alexiou and Hakim Sahabo are all ineligible, as they were not selected in the squad for the league phase. Varga and Jovic start up front for the Greek giants.
0'
LASK SUBSTITUTIONS: Miguel Freckleton, Krystof Danek, Sasa Kalajdzic, Alessandro Schopf, Manoel Verhaeghe, Daniel Elfadli, Yvan Dibango, Florian Flecker, Tobias Schutzenauer, Nael Kane, Fabian Schillinger
0'
LASK XI (5-3-2): Lukas Jungwirth; Kasper Jorgensen, George Bello, Xavier Mbuyamba, Alemao, Andres Andrade; Melayro Bogarde, Robert Ljubicic, Sascha Horvath; Christoph Lang, Moses Usor
AEK ATHENS XI (4-4-2): Alberto Brignoli; Lazaros Rota, Harold Moukoudi, Filipe Relvas, Stavros Pilios; Lovro Majer, Milan Vitalis, Razvan Marin, Aboubakary Koita; Barnabas Varga, Luka Jovic
0'
Unlike their opponents, LASK qualified for Europe's top club competition after one of the most dramatic victories in recent times, as they overcame a 4-0 deficit to stun Celtic in the play-offs. They lost the first leg at Celtic Park by three goals, and their task was made even tougher as the Scottish side increased their advantage in the first half back at home. However, the Austrian champions scored five times without reply to dramatically earn their place. They have carried on that form into their next few matches, recording three straight victories and averaging four goals per match.
0'
AEK Athens secured their place in the Champions League for the first time since the 2018-19 season after a play-off win over Levski Sofia. They drew the away tie 0-0, before scoring four times in the return leg to win 4-0 on aggregate. They have made an unbeaten start to their league campaign, with two wins and a draw, and currently sit 2nd, just behind Panetolikos in the table. The Greek side head into this match on the back of a 5-0 win against Aris at the weekend.
0'
Hello and welcome to a Champions League encounter between AEK Athens and LASK, as the league phase of the competition begins.
0'
The players are out on the pitch and kick-off is just minutes away here!
0'
LASK get us under way!
1'
A positive start from the away side as they begin their Champions League adventure. Andrade pounces on a loose ball, rampages forward and lets fly from way out, but he misses the target by quite some distance.
2'
WHAT A SAVE! It's an incredible chance for Jovic as he's sent through inside the area by Majer but his shot is kept out by a brilliant reflex stop from Jungwirth! Replays show that the strike cannoned off his head! AEK Athens so nearly in front with their first attack of the night. A warning sign for LASK - they were cut open far too easily there.
4'
Good work from Rota as he holds the ball up and manages to pick out Varga, but the latter dribbles the ball into touch. LASK were easing their way into this game, but the hosts do look comfortable when they advance forward. There's a very nice tempo to this encounter in the opening stages.
6'
Stretchng back to the 2018/19 season AEK Athens have lost each of their last six Champions League matches, while failing to score in five of those. It’s already their longest losing run across their Champions League/European Cup history. They will hope to end that run with a victory today.
8'
More encouraging signs by LASK as they open up the centre of the pitch with some crisp passing, with Horvath finding Usor on the edge of the area. The forward attempts to curl a shot around the defender and into the bottom corner, but he can't quite direct his effort properly.
9'
A yellow card shown to AEK Athens boss Marko Nikolic as he complains about a decision on the touchline. It's been a lively start, and that intensity has spilled over onto the touchline.
11'
LASK turnover the ball and go forward down the right but the pass from Usor is a poor one and the move breaks down. They win it back yet again, but Horvath's pass is intercepted by Moukoudi, with the AEK Athens captain positioning himself perfectly to make the important clearance.
13'
This is the third fixture between Greek and Austrian sides played in the European Cup/Champions League, after AEK Athens v Salzburg (1994-95) and Panathinaikos v Sturm Graz (2000-01).
15'
LASK register their first effort on target as Bogarde decides to test Brignoli with a drifting effort, but it's an easy save for the AEK Athens goalkeeper. They have established control in this match, but the visitors are yet to fashion a brilliant opportunity. There's still plenty of time for that to change.
17'
LASK are doing a fantastic job of winning it back in the centre of the pitch when their opponents have the ball - Bogarde, Horvath and Ljubicic have not allowed the AEK Athens midfield to settle when they have looked to build-up play. It's been a really assured start by the Austrian side on their Champions League debut.
19'
Goal Razvan Marin
21'
WHAT A GOAL! AEK ATHENS LEAD! They win a free-kick right on the edge of the area, and Marin finds the top corner with a brilliant effort. He now has three goals for the campaign, and LASK's impressive start amounts to nothing. AEK Athens 1-0 LASK.
21'
Stretching back to the 2018/19 season AEK Athens have lost each of their last six Champions League matches, while failing to score in five of those. It’s already their longest losing run across their Champions League/European Cup history. They will hope to end that run with a victory today.
8'
LASK nearly hit back immediately! Usor gets in front of the two centre backs and lobs an effort at goal, but it loops over the crossbar. However, replays show that he did handle the ball in the build-up.
23'
AEK Athens threaten with a couple of crosses from either wing, but LASK are able to see it out. They need to ride this wave of AEK Athens momentum - they are still very much in this match, despite falling behind as a result of that Marin free-kick. We already know that they can mount a comeback.
25'
The last 24 combined games played by Austrian sides in the Champions League have seen them lose on 19 occasions, along with only ending up on the winning side four times. They have also conceded an average of 2.3 goals per match.
27'
We have reached the half-hour mark, and AEK Athens lead LASK 1-0. The away side have been very competitive, but the Greek giants did create the best opportunity of the match before finding a way through with that set-piece.
30'
AEK Athens have edged ahead when it comes to possession so far, with 55.7%. For the first time tonight, there is a lack of bite in the LASK attack when they go forward, and that has allowed the match to settle into a tempo that suits the home side. They have the advantage in terms of the scoreline, and they now seem to be slowing the game down when they have the ball.
32'
Relvas fouls Lang, and LASK now have a free-kick in a promising position. Can they create anything with it?
34'
The answer is no - Horvath attempts to find Ljubicic at the near post, but it's easily snuffed out by the AEK Athens defence. That's a decent opportunity wasted.
35'
Mbuyamba to the rescue! A mix-up at the back by LASK sees Varga scamper clean through for the hosts. However, he attempts to check back onto his stronger right foot, and the defender is able to recover and make the necessary interception.
37'
Yellow Card Luka Jovic
40'
Jovic is the first player to be booked this evening after showing dissent towards the referee. He believes a corner should have been awarded after Majer's free-kick, which was just a whisker away from finding that bottom corner.
40'
Yellow Card Melayro Bogarde
42'
BIG SAVE! A deflected shot on the edge of the area by Horvath manages to find its way to Lang in the area, but Brignoli is straight off his line and makes a save from close range. The away side still win the corner.
41'
Bogarde is booked for bringing down Koita on the counter-attack. He can have no complaints.
42'
Majer feeds Jovic inside the area, but he can't get a shot off inside the area. It's the home side that are ending the half as the strongest of the two sides.
43'
HALF-TIME: AEK ATHENS 1-0 LASK
45'
SHOULD BE 2-0! What a chance on the stroke of half-time! Marin's delivery once again causes problems for the LASK defence, as he picks out the unmarked Varga, who is yards out. However, his header fails to meet the target.
45'
AEK Athens lead LASK 1-0 at the break as they both begin their Champions League campaigns. Despite a bright start from the away side, the Greek outfit nearly took the lead with their first attack of the night as Jovic's effort struck Jungwirth on the head at point-blank range. They would take the lead through a fantastic free-kick from Marin, and should have doubled their advantage right at the end of the half as Varga missed with a header in the box. LASK were not as threatening towards the end of the half, though Lang did force a save from Brignoli. In terms of xG, AEK Athens have generated 0.87 compared to 0.27 for their opponents.
0'
Despite some encouraging signs, the live win probability has LASK's chances of mounting a comeback and winning at just 7%, with the possibility of a draw at 17.6%. AEK Athens are in the driving seat, and their chances are at 75.4%. The second half is coming right up.
0'
The answer is no - Horvath looks to find Ljubicic at the near post, but it's easily snuffed out by the AEK Athens defence. That's a decent opportunity wasted.
35'
The home side get us going for the second half. No changes from either side.
45'
LASK have their first sight of goal inside the opening minute of the second half as Ljubicic checks back onto his left foot and whips an effort at goal, but there's too much weight to the shot and it drifts well over the crossbar.
46'
ANOTHER CHANCE! Horvath bursts into the penalty area and looks to find the near post, but he's kept out by Brignoli. AEK Athens' defence was way too open on that occasion, and they were almost made to pay! LASK starting a half well yet again, but they are still yet to find the equaliser.
48'
LASK’s only two games in the European Cup came all the way back in the 1965-66 edition, where they lost both and were eliminated by Gornik Zabrze in the first round.
50'
The Greek side almost hit back at the other end as Koita picks out Varga inside the area, but his shot is thwarted by a brilliant block from Andrade. This game remains on a knife edge.
50'
LASK’s only two games in the European Cup came all the way back in the 1965-66 edition, where they lost both and were eliminated by Gornik Zabrze in the first round.
52'
The second half has started at a frantic tempo, with both sides opening up and the game becoming increasingly stretched. Jovic is almost put clean through, but he has to check back inside. The ball eventually finds Koita, but the move breaks down and LASK are able to revert back into their defensive shape.
54'
This is AEK Athens’ 12th overall Champions League/European Cup campaign, despite having not featured since the group stage in 2018-19. Overall, only Olympiakos (32) and Panathinaikos (22) have made more appearances in the competition among Greek sides.
56'
Despite that eventual start at the beginning of the half, AEK Athens have now dropped their defensive line deeper, limiting the space for LASK to roam into and exploit. The Greek side are looking more compact without the ball, making it tougher for the visitors to find openings in dangerous areas.
58'
We have passed the hour mark, and AEK Athens still lead 1-0. They are largely in control of this match, but they have to be wary of the threat that LASK could pose if the deficit remains at just the one goal.
60'
Goal Luka Jovic
64'
Assist Lovro Majer
64'
Jovic both scored and assisted in their Champions League play-off round second leg – a 4-0 win vs Levski Sofia – though across his 12 matches and 322 minutes of action in the competition proper throughout his career, he’s still yet to record a goal contribution.
62'
Substitution Kasper Jørgensen Florian Flecker
65'
Substitution Robert Ljubicic Alessandro Schöpf
65'
Jovic looks to have scored his first goal in the competition as he produces a brilliant diving header to meet Majer's cross, but the decision is overturned following a VAR decision as the latter is adjudged to have been offside. It remains 1-0.
64'
They complete the double substitution as Ljubicic comes off for Schopf.
65'
LASK make their first change of the night as Flecker replaces Jorgensen.
65'
The ball is now exclusively being played in LASK's half of the pitch. AEK Athens are enjoying arguably their best spell of pressure in the match. They want that second goal after believing that they had doubled their advantage just moments earlier.
67'
LASK's attacking endeavour has faded as the half has wore on, which was also the case in the first half. They do win a corner, but Horvath takes its short and ultimately the opportunity is wasted as they are forced back. The captain made a bewildering choice on that occasion - his side need a goal.
70'
Substitution Christoph Lang Sasa Kalajdzic
74'
LASK are beginning to enjoy more of the possession again, but they are struggling to turn that control into clear-cut opportunities. AEK Athens are holding their shape well and repeatedly forcing the visitors backwards whenever they look to make progress in the final third. A poor pass from Mbuyamba sees the ball go out for a goal-kick.
72'
Another change from the away side as Kalajdzic comes on for Lang.
74'
There's a break in play following a collision in the air between Bello and Rota. Both are tended to by the medical staff and will be waved back on imminently.
76'
Yellow Card Andrés Andrade
80'
Horvath finds Schopf in a promising position inside the area, but the substitute's flick fails to find the captain, and AEK Athens can clear their lines. That will have been hugely frustrating for the away side, as the forward had plenty of options if he looked up.
78'
Andrade is booked after cynically bringing down Varga on the edge of the area. Marin takes the free-kick, but his shot is blocked by the wall.
80'
Substitution Luka Jovic Ambrósini António Cabaça Salvador
82'
Zine enters the fray, replacing Jovic. That will be the home side's first substitution of the night.
82'
Despite that enterprising start at the beginning of the half, AEK Athens have now dropped their defensive line deeper, limiting the space for LASK to roam into and exploit. The Greek side are looking more compact without the ball, making it tougher for the visitors to find openings in dangerous areas.
58'
Andrade has to concede the corner after glancing away a dangerous cross from the right. LASK have battled hard, but they're struggling to get on the ball in these latter stages. Majer whips in the delivery, but Varga can only direct his header over the crossbar by some distance.
84'
LASK have the ball deep inside the AEK Athens half, but there's a lack of space in the centre and they are resorting to crosses from either flank. Bello whips in a delivery from the left, but it's easily dealt with. Time is running out for the Austrian champions.
87'
AEK Athens miss out on the chance to clinch the victory as Rota is found in space on the counter-attack. He picks out Zine in the box, but his effort is blocked on the line. It eventually falls to Koita moments later, but he blazes an effort well wide of the goal. They will hope to not rue these chances.
89'
Substitution Aboubakary Koïta Mijat Gacinovic
90'
Substitution Lovro Majer Kervin Arriaga
90'
Arriaga replaces Maja as AEK Athens make another substitution.
90'
The home side make another change as Gacinovic comes on for Koita.
90'
There will be three additional minutes.
90'
Lineups
AEK Athens (4-4-2) coached by Marko Nikolic
Alberto Brignoli, Stavros Pilios, Filipe Relvas, Harold Moukoudi, Lazaros Rota, Aboubakary Koita, Razvan Marin, Milán Vitális, Lovro Majer, Luka Jović, Barnabas Varga
LASK Linz (5-3-2) coached by Dietmar Kühbauer
Lukas Jungwirth, Xavier Mbuyamba, Andres Andrade, João Tornich, George Bello, Kasper Jorgensen, Sascha Horvath, Robert Ljubicic, Melayro Bogarde, Christoph Lang, Moses Usor