Champions League, scheduled for some of the return matches of the first qualifying round: news and predictions.
At the moment there are 30, but in two days’ time there will only be 15 left. The first qualifying round of the Champions League final round goes into the archives. This week, spread over Tuesday and Wednesday, the return matches are scheduled. Those who pass will gain a pass to the second round, while those who are worse off will continue their European adventure in the Conference League, starting in the second qualifying round.
Among the first to take the court, the Lithuanians of Zalgiris. The green-and-white team should have been able to take a bite out of the Macedonians Struga, but a week ago in the first leg, despite the numerous goal chances that the Baltics managed to build, it ended in a scoreless draw. Zalgiris will therefore have to conquer the qualification on the road: overtime, in the light of how things went seven days ago, is not a utopia but in all probability the Lithuanian team will avoid defeat in the 90 minutes.
Sheriff Tiraspol, complicated comeback
Rakow, who surprisingly won the last Ekstraklasa, Poland’s top league, should also make it through the round. The reigning Polish champions in Estonia against Flora Tallinn may have a small but significant advantage after their narrow 1-0 win in the first leg, but the feeling is that this time we will see a more lively and prolific match, as the Estonians will have to uncover themselves.
A moment from the match between Hacken and TNS
Qualification is already in the bag for Maccabi Haifa, who overwhelmed the Hamruns Spartans in Malta 4-0. The Hamruns Spartans, coached by former Lazio defender Luciano Zauri, are now a formality, with another goleada in sight. Sheriff Tiraspol, who were beaten 1-0 by Farul Constanta in Romania, were called upon to make a difficult comeback. In Transnistria, the club that two seasons ago got the better of Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid in the group stage, is a slight favourite in a match that promises to be very tight and uncertain. The Belarusians of Bate Borisov, stopped in the first leg by the Albanians of Partizani (1-1), will take advantage of the home factor in the return match, as will the Bosnians of Zrinjski Mostar, favourites over the Armenians of Urartu after the surprising 1-1 draw a week ago.
We should see another three-goal aggregate match in TNS-Hacken, with the Swedes likely to take another comfortable win over the Welsh after the 3-1 first leg. Finally, qualification is in jeopardy for Shamrock Rovers, who will face a difficult comeback in Iceland after losing 1-0 at home. It is not a foregone conclusion that they will succeed.
Champions League: likely winners
- Zalgiris or draw (in Struga-Zalgiris, 5pm)
- Rakow (in Flora Tallin-Rakow, 19:00)
- Sheriff Tiraspol or draw (in Sheriff Tiraspol-Farul Constanta, 19:00)
- Zrinjski Mostar (in Zrjniski Mostar-Urartu, 20:00)
- Breidablik or draw (in Breidablik-Shamrock Rovers, 21:15)