Champions League, the first matches of the second qualifying round of the 2023-24 edition are played: news and predictions.
In the second qualifying round of the 2023-24 Champions League, a number of teams come into play who, despite participating in lower-middle leagues, boast a certain coat of arms. And who, above all, attend Europe, major or minor, almost every year.
The best equipped of those who will take the field in the first seven first leg matches is certainly the reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray. The Giallorossi, coached by former Inter midfielder Okan Buruk, can count on players of the calibre of Icardi, Zaniolo, Torreira and Mertens, and in this football session they have continued to strengthen by enlisting two valuable elements such as Angelino and Bakambu.
Galatasaray are therefore clear favourites for the double-header against the Lithuanians of Zalgiris Vilnius, who eliminated Struga Northmathedonians in the first round, with a few too many worries. The historic Istanbul club, compared to its next opponents, has only played a handful of friendlies, but should still debut with a success in the first official match of its season. Dinamo Zagreb, another team that has come a long way outside Croatia in recent years, will also try to secure qualification. Petkovic and his team-mates, fresh from their defeat in the first league game against rivals Hajduk, should prevail over Kazakhstan’s Astana.
Champions League: Dnipro-1 threat for Panathinaikos
After a muted start, reigning Norwegian champions Molde seem to have got into gear. It is unlikely that they will be able to catch Bodo/Glimt again, but having regained their confidence may be enough to win the first leg against HJK in Finland.
The Servette Stadium
The Greeks of Panathinaikos, present in the Champions League preliminaries, are in the category of “placed” teams. The green-and-whites are expected to make a tricky debut against the surprising Dnipro-1, the runners-up of Ukraine, who are far ahead in preparation. Slovan Bratislava, once they have beaten Hesperange of Luxemburg (1-1 draw in the first leg and 2-0 in the return leg), will have to watch out for Zrinjski Mostar of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who also came back from two ‘battles’ in the first qualifying round against Urartu. Finally, a tricky trip for Copenhagen, who will visit the Icelandic side Breidablik, whose league, unlike Denmark’s, is in full swing. The match between Servette and Genk promises to be a balanced one: the Belgians cannot afford to underestimate the Swiss hurdle in a match with at least one goal each.
Champions League: likely winners
- Galatasaray (in Zalgiris-Galatasaray, 6pm)
- Molde (in HJK-Molde, 6pm)
- Dnipro-1 or draw (in Dnipro-1-Panathinaikos, 20:00)
- Slovan Bratislava or draw (in Zrinjski Mostar-Slovan Bratislava, 21:00)
- Copenaghen (in Breidablik-Copenaghen, 21:15)
