Slovan Bratislava and Maccabi Haifa are just two rounds away from Champions League group stage qualification.
On Wednesday night, the teams will meet in Slovakia for the first leg of their third-round qualifying tie.
Getting ready 🥶⚽️🔥#יאללהמכבי #MACSHR #UCL #maccabi pic.twitter.com/hnTvmmVcs7— Maccabi Haifa FC (@mhfootballclub) August 1, 2023
Getting ready 🥶⚽️🔥#יאללהמכבי #MACSHR #UCL #maccabi pic.twitter.com/hnTvmmVcs7
The teams will meet in the champions path thanks to winning their respective competitions last season.
Slovan claimed their 21st all-time Slovakian top-flight title. Meanwhile, Maccabi picked up their 15th Israeli top-flight championship.
Slovan Bratislava started their Champions League qualifying campaign in the first round, defeating Swift Hesperange 3-1 on aggregate.
In the second round, Slovan knocked out Zriinjski Mostar 3-2 on aggregate.
Manager Vladimir Weiss watched Slovan drew 2-2 on the domestic front against Banska Bystrica. Slovan have not played well on the domestic front.
They drew both matches to open the season. Slovan Bratislava have focused on the Champions League qualifying rounds.
Maccabi Haifa also started their Champions League campaign in the first qualifying round.
The Israelis defeated Hamrun Spartans 6-1 on aggregate before beating Sheriff Tiraspol in the second qualifying round.
The winner of the tie between Slovan and Maccabi will face Switzerland Super League champions Young Boys in the playoff round.
Young Boys have a history of playing in the Champions League and will be a difficult opponent.
Maccabi’s big summer signing was centre-forward Erik Shuranov for €1 million.
The club did sell two strong performers from last season, as Omer Atzili and Mohammed Abu Fani both were sold.
Manager Messey Dego used a 5-3-2 formation in the second qualifying round against Sherriff.
Dego should deploy the formation once more. Maccabi left-back Sun Menahem could miss the game due to a concussion.
Weiss uses an attacking 4-3-3 formation and should set Slovan out to attack Maccabi from wide areas.
Maccabi will aim to stop crosses from entering the box, with the five-man defence.
Slovan have dived into the loan and free transfer markets this summer, signing several players.
Marko Tolic arrived on loan and has one goal in the Slovakian top flight.
The club also signed experienced goalkeeper Milan Borjan on loan from Red Star Belgrade.
The pressure is building on both teams, with the group stage just two rounds away. Wednesday’s match could see goals scored.
The previous qualifying rounds saw Slovan and Maccabi rack up the goals, respectively.
The first leg should finish 2-2 in Slovakia, with neither team getting an upper hand in the match. It should be a back-and-forth affair.