NK Olimpija Ljubljana hosts Kairat in the Champions League qualifying first round. Olimpia, the Slovenian top division champions, finished strongly defensively last season, conceding only 20 goals. Despite a poor finish, they secured three wins in four friendlies since the 2024-25 campaign ended. Kairat, the Kazakh champions, currently sit second in their league but look strong, having not conceded in their last three matches. Olimpia is expected to feature a solid defensive lineup and a potent attack, relying on key players to perform at home.
Olimpija secured their second league title in three years, finishing as the division's strongest defensive side, conceding just 20 goals-at least 12 fewer than any other team.
Kairat claimed top spot in their domestic league by a single point, though they currently sit second, one point behind leaders Astana with eight matches remaining.
Manager Victor Sanchez will be concerned by their late-season slump, as his team failed to win six of their final seven games during the 2024-25 season.
Olimpija Ljubljana are likely to deploy central defenders Marcel Ratnik and Ahmet Muhamedbegovic ahead of goalkeeper Matevz Vidovsek.
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