Champions League | First qualifying round

Jul 8, 2025 at 8pm UK

Egnatia Rrogozhine vs Breidablik

Match preview

Egnatia are back in the Champions League qualifiers for the second consecutive season, having won the Albanian Kategoria Superiore title for the second year in a row.

The Rrogozhine-based club has enjoyed a remarkable rise in recent years, securing their first-ever league title in the 2023–24 season and repeating the feat the following season.

However, they have not played competitively since the end of last season in May. This campaign concluded with a disappointing home record: the team failed to win any of their final seven home games in all competitions, picking up just one victory in their last ten home matches.

In preparation for Tuesday's tie, Edlir Tetova’s side played two friendlies in June, defeating CSKA 1948 2–0 and edging past Farul 1–0. Those results will have boosted their confidence.

This will be the first meeting ever between Egnatia and Breidablik. However, with just one win in their last nine home fixtures, the Albanian champions will need to improve their performance levels at home.

Breidablik qualified for this competition by winning the Icelandic league title last season. They have previous experience at this level, having reached the second qualifying round in both the 2011–12 and 2022–23 campaigns.

The Besta deild karla, Iceland's top tier, has already played 14 matches, with Breidablik currently sitting third in the table on 27 points, three behind the leaders. They are also unbeaten in their last five league games, having won three and drawn two.

Halldór Arnason’s team are also in good form away from home, avoiding defeat in four of their last five away matches, including a 2–2 draw with Afturelding in their most recent fixture.

Furthermore, Breidablik have only failed to score in one of their last 15 away matches, highlighting their ability to consistently find a way through when playing away.

Team News

Ahead of the tie, Egnatia have no injury concerns, with Soumaila Bakayoko likely to lead the line, supported by Regi Lushkja — the team’s top scorer last season with 16 goals.

Zamir Aliyev and Abdurraman Fangaj are both expected to feature in the defensive line-up.

Breidablik also have no injury concerns, with the in-form forward Tobias Thomsen, who has scored eight goals this season, expected to lead the attack once again.

Kristinn Steindorsson is likely to play in midfield, while Ásgeir Orri Ásgeirsson is set to lead the defence.

Possible starting lineup

Egnatia Rrogozhine possible starting lineup:

Dajsinani; Sota, Aliyev, Fangaj; Xhemaijli, Meideiros, Aleksi, Zejnullani; Ujka; Luskja, Bakayoko

Breidablik possible starting lineup:

Einarsson; Valgeirason, Margeirsson, Orrason, Yeoman; Johnson; Steindorsson, Einarsson, Omarsson, Thorsteinsson; Thomsen