Champions League | First qualifying round

Jul 8, 2025 at 6pm UK

NK Olimpija Ljubljana vs Kairat

Match preview

Olimpija claimed their second title in three seasons, ending the most recent campaign as the division's best defensive side. They conceded just 20 goals, at least 12 fewer than any of the other nine teams in the league.

However, boss Victor Sanchez will be concerned by the fact that his team ended their season in poor form, failing to win six of their final seven matches in the 2024–25 season and suffering two defeats in that period.

The Dragons participated in the Conference League last term and have played in the Champions League twice, most recently being eliminated from the third qualifying round of the competition in 2023–24.

Since the end of the 2024-25 season, Olimpija have played four friendly games, winning three and drawing one, while also keeping three clean sheets.

Sanchez’s side have been excellent at home, emerging victorious in nine of their last 12 competitive matches at the Stozice Stadium, scoring at least two goals nine times.

Meanwhile, Kairat finished first in their domestic league by one point, but currently reside in second place, one point behind league leaders Astana with eight games remaining in the 2025 campaign.

The visitors come into Tuesday's clash having kept three consecutive clean sheets and scored six goals.

Kirill Keker’s side last participated in the Champions League qualifying rounds in 2021–22, but were eliminated at the second stage by Red Star Belgrade.

The Team of the Nation are unbeaten in their last five matches, winning four. Kairat are also unbeaten in their last three away matches, winning two, but they lost their previous two away games.

Team News

Olimpija Ljubljana are likely to position central defenders Marcel Ratnik and Ahmet Muhamedbegović in front of goalkeeper Matevž Vidovšek. On Tuesday, perhaps regulars Diogo Pinto, Peter Agba and Agustin Doffo could be utilised as a midfield trio.

Wide attackers Rada Boultam and Marko Brest could be selected to support striker Alex Matthias Tamm.

Kairat may start centre-backs Aleksandr Shirobokov and Egor Sorokin behind a double pivot comprising Adilet Sadybekov and Olzhas Baybek. In attack, striker Ricardinho is likely to start ahead of Jug Stanojev, Jorge Gabriel Costa Monteiro and Ramazan Bagdat.

Possible starting lineup

NK Olimpija Ljubljana possible starting lineup:

Vidovsek; Silva, Ratnik, Muhamedbegovic, Lasickas; Pinto, Agba, Doffo; Boultam, Tamm, Brest

Kairat possible starting lineup:

Anarbekov; Tapalov, Shirobokov, Sorokin, Tashpulatov; Sadybekov, Baybek; Stanojev, Monteiro, Bagdat; Ricardinho