International football
Stavro Pilo scores in Manchester: Albania defender gets first Champions League goal against City
Pilo's 52nd-minute goal was AEK's only one in a 5-1 loss in Manchester; the defender has five caps for Albania.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 20, 2026, 22:30 · Updated 12:22 · 1 min read
In brief
- Stavro Pilo scored his first Champions League goal against Manchester City.
- AEK lost 5-1 in Manchester, where Phil Foden scored a hat trick.
- Pilo has five appearances for the national team, having debuted in the World Cup playoff against Poland.
Albania national team defender Stavro Pilo got his name on the scoresheet at one of Europe's toughest grounds. In the 52nd minute of the Manchester City–AEK Athens match, Pilo picked up the ball on the left flank, sped toward goal and, from an angle, struck accurately past the home goalkeeper.
It was his first goal in the Champions League and the Greek side's only one on Tuesday night. AEK could not stop Pep Guardiola's team, which won 5-1 even without striker Erling Haaland. Phil Foden scored a hat trick, while Rayan Cherki and Elliot Anderson were also on the scoresheet. Despite the heavy defeat, Pilo's goal remained the Greeks' best moment in Manchester.
A starter under Nikolić
Pilo, a left back, has been with AEK since 2023 and this season has earned a starting spot under coach Marko Nikolić. The appearance in Manchester gives him an important international showcase at a time when the Greek club is gaining experience in the Champions League league phase.
Pilo has five caps for Albania. He made his debut on March 26 of this year in the 1-2 loss to Poland in the World Cup playoff.
A good week for Albanians abroad
The goal comes after a positive weekend for Pilo, whom the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) had listed among Albania's players abroad who provided assists in their leagues, along with Ernest Muçi. For the national team, the left back's form is good news ahead of the match against Finland on Nov. 12.
