With the aggregate score level after a fiercely competitive first leg in Herning, Slovan Bratislava and FC Midtjylland are set to clash in a high-stakes showdown on Wednesday night for a place in the Champions League group stage.
Slovan Bratislava's hard-fought draw in Denmark has positioned them well for the return leg, where the Sky Blues will look to capitalize on their home advantage.
In last week's first leg, Slovan Bratislava took the lead through right-back Cesar Blackman, who scored only his fourth goal for the club. However, FC Midtjylland's Zambian striker Edward Chilufya leveled the score in the second half, leaving the tie finely balanced.
As the reigning Slovak Super Liga champions, Slovan Bratislava dominated the 2023-24 season, finishing an impressive 15 points ahead of their nearest rivals, DAC Dunajska Streda. This secured their entry into the first round of this season's Champions League qualifiers.
Since then, Slovan has successfully navigated a challenging summer schedule, dispatching Struga of North Macedonia, Celje of Slovenia, and APOEL Nicosia of Cyprus to earn this pivotal encounter with Danish champions FC Midtjylland in the playoffs. Now, with a place among Europe's elite clubs, including the reigning champions Real Madrid, within reach, the pressure is on to deliver.
Following the first-leg draw in Denmark, Slovan maintained their perfect start to the 2024-25 domestic season with a 2-0 victory over Banska Bystrica, thanks to goals from Idjessi Metsoko and Tigran Barseghyan.
Thus, Vladimír Weiss' side further bolstered their momentum, extending their unbeaten run in all competitions this season to 11 matches (eight wins and three draws). However, Slovan faces a daunting challenge as they aim to break a five-game winless streak against Danish opposition (one draw and four losses), a hurdle they must overcome to advance (still, a 1-1 draw at Copenhagen in the UEFA Cup first round in 1994-95 was enough as Slovan won 2-1 on aggregate following a 1-0 first-leg victory in Bratislava).
Vladimír Weiss might need to adjust his starting lineup, as 24-year-old Sharani Zuberu, who was forced off early in the first leg, is doubtful for this match. Matus Vojtko is expected to step in at left-back if the Ghanaian is not fit to start.
Tigran Barseghyan, who assisted Slovan Bratislava's opener in Denmark last week, has also scored in domestic play before and after the first leg. The Armenian winger hopes to start in the second leg as well.
The Danish champions' new campaign began on July 19, and they've shown impressive form since. Thomas Thomasberg's side entered the Champions League in the second qualifying round, defeating UE Santa Coloma and Hungarian powerhouse Ferencváros to set up this decisive tie against Slovan Bratislava.
FC Midtjylland reached the Champions League group stage in 2020-21, so They are no strangers to this level of competition. Yet, their European away record leaves much to be desired, with just one win in their last 13 away matches (six draws and six losses). That solitary victory came against Andorra's UE Santa Coloma earlier this summer, a statistic they'll need to improve upon if they hope to progress this time.
FC Midtjylland also enjoyed domestic success over the weekend, emerging victorious in a 3-2 thriller against S?nderjyskE, with goals from Adam Buksa, Edward Chilufya, and Adam Gabriel. The Wolves are aiming to return to the Champions League group stage for the first time since the 2020-21 season when they faced formidable opponents in Liverpool, Atalanta, and Ajax.
Thomas Thomasberg is without the injured Victor Bak and might not have Marrony available despite his recent return to training. Elsewhere, Oliver Sorensen, who has contributed four goals (three goals, one assist) in five Superliga matches, will be eager to bring his domestic form to the European stage.
With a spot in the Champions League group stage at stake, this is set to be a tense and closely fought contest between two unbeaten teams. Slovan Bratislava's home advantage could be the key factor in this showdown, potentially sending the Danish champions back to their homeland empty-handed. Or at least not losing the game in regular time.
