In Bratislava with a clear goal – to make it hot in Celje (21:00)

Slovenian champions NK Celje face a crucial test in Bratislava as they compete against Slovan for a spot in the Champions League. The team's primary objective is to secure an advantageous result in the away leg to build momentum for the return match on their home turf.

For many players, hearing the Champions League anthem is a lifelong dream. Svit Sešlar, a key player for Celje, expressed this sentiment ahead of the match, which will feature the iconic anthem from the start due to Celje's progression into the final qualifying round. The team is now just 180 minutes away from potentially realizing this ambition.

Slovan Bratislava, featuring players like Andraž Šporar and Kenan Bajrić, is widely regarded as the favorite. They boast a strong fan base, consistent participation in European competitions in recent seasons, and a more experienced and valuable squad compared to Celje. However, Celje has demonstrated resilience and a results-oriented approach in previous qualifying rounds against teams like Egnatia and Ararat.

Celje's success against Slovan will depend on improved offensive performance from their strikers, including Sešlar, and a more solid defensive effort. Vitor Campelos, Celje's coach, has already extended his stay with the club by at least a few months due to their successful qualification for this stage. A victory in Bratislava would be ideal, but securing an active scoreline is the fundamental goal, aiming to leverage the home advantage in their stadium for a historic achievement in Celje's football history.