On this evening at 9:45 PM, the final matches of the Champions League qualification stage will begin, where ten clubs will compete in the first match for a spot in the group stage. Eurofootball.com provides you with a review of today's matches.
"Ajax" - "Rostov"
Both teams started their journey in the Champions League from the third qualifying round, and so far, their path has been almost identical. In the first matches at home, both teams fell behind, but eventually fought for productive draws - "Ajax" 1-1 against "PAOK" and "Rostov" 2-2 against "Anderlecht." In the second leg matches, both teams managed to win and advance to the next stage.
The favorite to advance to the group stage is considered to be the team of "Ajax," but recently the team of "Rostov" has been consistently contradicting forecasts and will definitely not give up without a fight, trying to prove that their recent successful results are not just a coincidence.
Zagreb "Dinamo" - "Red Bull Salzburg"
In the second round of qualification, both teams that have joined the competition have had a successful start in the Champions League - both "Dinamo" and "Red Bull Salzburg" won all four matches. However, "Dinamo" had a tougher time in the first leg, and in the second leg, the series was still tied up until the last 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Austrian champions in the Champions League have not conceded a goal and did not give any chances to both "Liepaja" and "Partizani" players. Austrians are the favorites of this pair, but "Dinamo" is a much more dangerous team than their previous opponents, so "Red Bull Salzburg" can expect a tough battle for a chance to return to the Champions League group stage, where the Croats will try to qualify for the second consecutive year.
"FC Copenhagen" - "APOEL"
Two more teams that started their journey in the Champions League from the second qualifying round. While "Copenhagen" confidently defeated both their opponents, "APOEL" narrowly avoided elimination from the Champions League. In the third round of qualifying, after a loss to "Rosenborg" away 1-2, at home, in added time, their match was tied 0-0, but they managed to score three goals during extra time and secure their path to the next stage of the competition.
In favor of "Copenhagen" are the Danes, who are in great form and leading their country's league after five rounds. However, "APOEL" should not be underestimated, as this year they have already eliminated a favorite team, knocking "Rosenborg" out of further Champions League matches.
"Steaua" - "Manchester City"
After overcoming "Sparta" in the third round of qualification, the team of "Steaua" faces, probably, the most unfavorable draw. They will face "Manchester City," and a defeat in this match would not be understandable or justified. The team led by Pep Guardiola had a tough start in the Premier League over the weekend, but they will step onto the field today aiming to extend their winning streak.
An victory against "Manchester City" is hardly expected from "Steaua," so they will play without feeling any pressure, which could be a positive thing, especially if they manage to achieve a positive result at home. However, if "The Citizens" demonstrate their best game, everything could be clear after the first match in Romania.
"Young Boys" - "Gladbach"
In the third stage of the Champions League, "Young Boys" recorded the biggest sensation of this year's Champions League so far, overturning a two-goal deficit and eliminating "Shakhtar" players from further competition. Although the Ukrainians are not as powerful as in previous years, they still have a competitive lineup with a lot of international match experience, and before the season, they were predicted to reach the group stage.
After such a shock delivered by the Swiss team, "Gladbach" has not played any official matches this season yet and will have to be cautious and give their all to achieve a positive result. These clubs played a friendly match in July, which ended 3-3 after normal time, showing that the Germans will not have an easy task, and they will have to prove their favorite status on the field once again.
