Valmieras FC of Latvia go into the second leg of their Champions League first qualifying round tie with NK Olimpija Ljubljana down 2-1.
NK Olimpija Ljubljana claimed a first-leg win thanks to goals on either side of halftime from Mustafa Nukic and Rui Pedro.
pic.twitter.com/rYFCOZVuzV— Valmiera FC (@valmierafc) July 15, 2023
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With NK set for a 2-0 win, Valmieras struck late to give themselves a lifeline in the second leg. Meissa Diop scored with three minutes left on the clock.
Now, Valmieras host NK Olimpija Ljubljana on Wednesday night at the Janis Dalins Stadium, looking for a goal to level the tie and two to win it.
The Latvians will need to stop NK Olimpija Ljubljana from scoring goals, something they may not be able to do.
NK Olimpija Ljubljana are the reigning Slovenian Prva Liga champions.
The team has not played in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds since 2018-19. NK have never reached the Champions League group stage.
Indeed, the club has never progressed past the playoff round of European qualification.
Valmieras won the Latvian Virsliga in 2022. The club is currently playing in the 2023 edition of the competition.
The Black and White are currently third in the Virsliga and well off the pace of the title on the domestic front.
Valmieras will likely put everything possible into a deep run in the qualifying rounds.
Last season’s title win was Valmieras’s first on the domestic front. They are playing in the Champions League qualifying rounds for the first time.
Valmieras previously played in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League and Conference League. They have never qualified past the second qualifying round.
Valmieras manager Jurgis Kalns has a few injuries to worry about.
Midfielder Kristers Penkevics has a back issue and may sit out the game. Winger Renars Varslavans is out of action, with a leg injury.
Striker Djibril Gueye has a foot injury and will miss the remainder of the year. Forward Jeremie Porsan-Clemente is out with a knee injury.
NK Olimpija Ljubljana manager Joao Henrique doesn’t have any injury issues going into the match.
NK are in preseason currently, which offers Henrique a fresher squad for the second leg.
Henrique deployed a 4-4-2 formation in the first leg. New signing Raul Florucz could start on the right wing.
He signed for €100,000 in the offseason and was the club’s only paid transfer.
NK Olimpija Ljubljana should seal progression to the second qualifying round, with a 1-0 win. It won’t be easy away to Valmieras, but NK Olimpija Ljubljana will win the game and move on.