Even without our own defensive issues it was impossible not to take note of the determined defending that AEK Athens displayed on Tuesday night.
True they carried a bit of luck in the closing stages and created injuries out of nothing but the dark arts have been around since before Jock Stein sent his side out to face Inter Milan over 50 years ago.
Throughout both legs against Celtic the AEK Athens defenders found ways of blocking Celtic’s attacking intentions.
The strikers were closely marked, attention paid to the wingers with little space given for the hoops to ask questions.
It wasn’t pretty but it was certainly impressive- put together on a relative shoestring budget.
A couple of time served players, an overall plan and players comfortable with their job ensured that it worked effectively.
Up front the AEK players worked with equal efficiency, showing a ruthless around goal that took pressure off the defenders.
If they see off Vidi in the play-off round AEK will go into pot four in the Champions League draw- at that point we’ll discover just how effective and organised their back four is.
MICHALIS BAKAKIS
The 27-year-old joined AEK from Panetolikos in 2014 for just £250,000.
Last season was his first as a regular in the AEK defence, making 25 appearances in the league triumph.
With a year remaining on his contract it’s getting towards decision time, reaching the group phase of the Champions League could provide a great shop window.
MARIOS OIKONOMOU
Made his first AEK appearances in the games against Celtic after joining on a season long loan from Bologna.
His days seem numbered at Bologna but he still has two seasons to run on his contract, last season he made a handful of appearances out on loan at SPAL and Bari.
VASILEIOS LAMPROPOULOS
Like right-back Bakakis he joined AEK in 2014, in this case in a 500m euro deal from Panionios.
He has been a regular in the AEK side over the last four seasons and is under contract until next summer with the club having the option of another year.
At 28 years of age he’ll be looking to cash in on a possible Champions League run.
NIKLAS HULT
Made the switch across Athens from Panathinaikos in January after his December salary failed to arrive with a fee still to be agreed. His salary at Panathinaikos was reported at 250,000 euros per year.
After leaving Elfsborg he spent two seasons in France playing for Nice before moving to Pana in 2016.
He wasn’t in contention for Sweden’s World Cup squad but did feature in a friendly against Romania in March, he is under contract with AEK until June 2020.