AEK Athens and Fiorentina played out a decent 1-1 draw that still keeps both in with a good chance of qualifying for the knock out stages.  The game was energetic in the first half and threatened to explode when the sides exchanged goals within the space of five minutes around the half hour.  But that proved to be a false signal of what was to come and by the time the final whistle arrived it was clear this match had fizzled out.  AEK may be the slightly happier with the draw despite being at home.  They now have two points but but with two games still to come they are very much still in contention.  Fiorentina have two points from their away trips and having already beaten Elfsborg at home they on the verge of qualification.  They will be bitterly disappointed if something goes wrong from here.

AEK lined up with Blanco joining Nsaliwa in the attack while Manduca, their creative midfielder, was given a rest and only came off the bench.  Silva returned to the defensive side of things after injury problems while Morreto saw off Macho to win the battle to start between the sticks.  Fiorentina changed their entire striking line up but Jorgensen, Vieri and Osvaldo were still very much capable of causing problems.  Liverani and Dainelli both shook off recent injuries to play while Gamberini was rested.  Mutu wasn't risked after his own injury while Ujfalusi looks set to miss another few games at least before he is in a position to return himself.

The home side started brightly and Cesar zipped an effort narrowly past the post as Frey stood helpless.  Fiorentina then came into things though and Vieri had headed a decent chance over before Osvaldo opened the scoring.  He capped a nice move with his goal but 'keeper Morreto will feel he might have done more to keep his shot out.  The Viola were given no time to settle though as AEK hit back immediately.  Cesar's shot was well struck but an intervention from Balzaretti proved decisive and left Frey with no chance.  Vieri had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside just before the break but after the interval Osvaldo spurned two or three great chances to regain the lead for his team.  Nsaliwa went close with AEK's best effort but the sides seemed conscious of important league fixtures coming up and the last minutes were played at a relaxed pace.

Fiorentina probably had the chances to win this game but a point in Greece is rarely a bad result.  They remain almost certain to qualify for the next round and they can't ask for more.  AEK aren't as comfortable but with two games left it is still within their own hands.  They will feel they need one home win to give themselves a real chance but they will probably have to take something from Villareal, in a tough match, if they are to progress.