Slovan Bratislava host Celje in the second leg of this Champions League play-off, carrying a commanding 5-0 aggregate lead from last season’s meeting. The Slovak champions have been defensively resolute, keeping two clean sheets in their four qualification games and conceding jus…
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Sign inSlovan Bratislava host Slovenian side Celje in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off on Wednesday 19 August 2026. Both clubs are aiming to secure a place in the lucrative league phase of the competition, with the return leg scheduled for late August.
Slovan Bratislava head coach Yaya Touré is likely to be without winger Nino Marcelli and striker Andraž Šporar for the first leg. Creative midfielder Tigran Barseghyan remains a doubt after recently returning from injury; he featured for the entire second half of the 2-1 victory against Mjällby but may not be risked from the start. Touré has been unbeaten in his first five competitive matches in charge, and the squad enjoyed a weekend off to prepare for this tie.
Celje’s key figure is home-town hero Benjamin Verbič, who returned to his boyhood club this summer after 11 years abroad. The 32‑year‑old forward scored the decisive goal that sealed their 3‑2 aggregate victory over Ararat-Armenia in the previous round. Celje are expected to travel with a fully fit squad, although they must focus on keeping the tie alive ahead of the home leg.
Slovan cruised through the third qualifying round with a 4‑1 aggregate win over Swedish champions Mjällby AIF. In the previous round they proved too strong for Iberia 1999, progressing 3‑1 on aggregate after a 2‑0 away win and a 1‑1 home draw. The Slovak champions have won six of their last seven home qualifiers in the Champions League, scoring an average of 2.9 goals per game across that run.
Touré’s side are seasoned European campaigners, having appeared in the 2024‑25 Champions League league phase and last season’s UEFA Conference League. Suleiman Camara and Manasse Kianga have both made impacts from the substitutes’ bench in recent qualifiers, giving the Ivorian coach genuine depth in the final third.
Celje’s route to the play‑off has been far more dramatic. They survived a penalty shoot‑out against Egnatia in the second qualifying round after a pair of 2‑2 and 3‑3 draws, before overturning a 2‑1 first‑leg deficit against Ararat-Armenia with a late 2‑0 home win. Verbič’s goal in that second leg guaranteed the Slovenians at least a place in the Europa League group stage.
Celje have played in the UEFA Conference League for the past two seasons, but this tie represents their first realistic shot at reaching the Champions League proper. Coach Damir Krznar is likely to set his team up to stay compact and avoid conceding early, knowing the tie is unlikely to be decided in the first leg.
The power of Slovan’s midfield runs against the experience of Celje’s talisman. Camara has a knack for scoring late goals — six of his last seven club strikes have come after the 65th minute — while Verbič is the player Celje turn to for moments of inspiration. Whichever of the two imposes themselves on the tie could steer their side towards the group stage.
These two sides met at the same stage of the Champions League two years ago, when Slovan Bratislava demolished Celje 6‑1 on aggregate. That memory will linger for the Slovenians, but the visitors can draw confidence from a squad that has evolved significantly since then. The first leg represents a chance for Celje to show they have closed the gap on the Slovak champions.
The return leg takes place on Wednesday 26 August, with the winners advancing to the 2026‑27 UEFA Champions League league phase draw.
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