Only seven more tickets to heaven will be distributed across Europe - in the new season of the Champions League, in a way historic, the names of the 29 teams that will open the first page of the new format of the strongest club competition from September are already known.
For the rest - the battles start tonight through the playoffs.
Among the 14 teams that dream of placing is Karabag, our team Marko Janković i Marko Vešović, as well as two teams from the former Yugoslavia - Dinamo Zagreb and Crvena zvezda.
The club from Azerbaijan, without the Montenegrin tandem (they were injured during the previous qualifying round, but traveled with the team to Zagreb), will be chasing the first appearance under the stars of the Champions League against the Croatian giants since the 2017/18 season.
The first match at "Maksimir" will be played at 21 p.m.
- Dinamo is a rival with a lot of experience in these kinds of matches, but I believe that with the rotations in the team, we will be able to respond in the right way. I really want this team to play in the main stage of the Champions League - he said Gurban Gurbanov, the eternal coach of Karabagh.
The appetites of the champions of Azerbaijan grew especially after the great editions of last season in the Europa League, when the club from the Caucasus threatened to eliminate the undefeated Bayer in the round of 16.
However, Dinamo also wants the Champions League - a club that has been part of the group stage eight times, the last two years ago.
- They kept Bajer on the ropes, sent a message, gave seven goals to Ludogorets. They have automatisms, they are coordinated, they have several excellent individuals. We will have to be concentrated in order to stop their virtues and take advantage of the flaws, which we have seen they have - he pointed out Sergej Jakirovic, coach of the Blues.
A star in the north of Europe
The former European champion last season had a guaranteed place in the group stage, now they will have to fight for the elite through the qualifications - Red Star will try to realize their dream of the Champions League against Norwegian Boda/Glimt.
The first match will be played at "Aspmira Stadium", also from 21:XNUMX.
- Let's say that Bode is the favorite, but the chances are 50:50, they have their own wishes and reasons. Slight favorite yes, they are in continuity, they are the hosts. We are at the beginning of the season, we have too much desire to bring the club to where we want it to be. I wouldn't waste a lot of words, the pitch will show everything - said Zvezda's coach Vladan Milojevic.
From Lila to Lublin
The first day of the playoffs for the Champions League will bring another match - Lille will welcome Slavia from Prague in France.
The battles continue tomorrow with four more duels, and it seems that the most interesting will be in Lublin, Poland, where Dynamo Kyiv will host Salzburg.
The remaining matches are Young Boys - Galatasaray, Malmo - Sparta Prague and Mitjiland - Slovan Bratislava.
Bonus video:
