Champions League Play-off: Who Will Make the Cut?
The Champions League play-off round reaches its climax this week, with the draw for the group stage taking place on Thursday. Several clubs, having navigated a gruelling qualifying process since June, are vying for a coveted place amongst Europe's elite.
Slovan Bratislava, the sole team to have progressed through every qualifying round, are amongst those hoping to secure a spot. Others joined the competition at different stages, including some heavyweights eager to secure their place in the group stage.
Here's a look at how the second legs of the play-off ties are likely to unfold, according to 90min.
Tuesday 27th August
Three matches take place on Tuesday evening, with Galatasaray facing an uphill task. The Turkish giants fell to a thrilling 3-2 defeat in the first leg against Swiss outfit Young Boys. Michy Batshuayi's brace for the visitors was ultimately overshadowed by Filip Ugrinic's late penalty, giving the Swiss a slender advantage heading into the return leg. While Galatasaray will be confident at home, a tight encounter and potentially extra time wouldn't be a surprise.
Elsewhere, Sparta Prague and RB Salzburg are projected to progress with ease. Sparta, efficient in transition, secured a comfortable 2-0 away win over Malmo. Meanwhile, Salzburg's dominance over Dynamo Kyiv was evident throughout the first leg. Both teams are expected to secure their places in the group stage comfortably.
Wednesday 28th August
The action continues on Wednesday with an early kick-off. Qarabag face a daunting task against Dinamo Zagreb, needing a monumental turnaround after a heavy defeat in the first leg. Sandro Kulenovic's brace in the late stages effectively put the tie beyond reach for the Azerbaijani side. They will need an early goal to stand any chance of progressing.
Later in the day, Lille, fresh off their third qualifying round victory over Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce, edged out Slavia Prague 2-1 in the first leg. However, their lead is precarious, and Bruno Genesio's side will need a strong performance in Czechia to secure their place in the group stage.
Bodo/Glimt, aiming for their first Champions League appearance, hold a slender 2-1 lead over Red Star Belgrade going into the second leg. However, Red Star's formidable home record, unbeaten domestically since 2017, makes the task incredibly difficult for the Norwegian outfit.
Finally, Slovan Bratislava, having already overcome a series of challenging opponents, stand on the cusp of their group stage debut. A home win against Midtjylland, who drew 1-1 in the first leg, would secure their place amongst Europe's elite. This tie remains tightly balanced, with either side possessing a genuine chance of progressing.
The Champions League play-off round is set to deliver drama and excitement, with several clubs still striving to achieve their European ambitions. The second leg clashes promise to be captivating, with the fate of numerous teams hanging in the balance.
