The third qualifying rounds for Champions League and Europa League have now been set. Let’s start with the Champions League.
Should Dinamo Zagreb squeak by a pesky Pyunik side on July 21st, they would then face Austrian champs Red Bull Salzburg or Irish champions Bohemians. The first leg ended 1-1 in Austria.
With Austria so close to Croatia, we know that hundreds of Dinamo supporters and BBB would travel to the game. Will it be the same scene it was a few weeks ago if Dinamo face off against RB Salzburg? The first leg would be played on either July 28th/29th away for Dinamo.
Shakhtar Donetsk face off against Romanians Timişoara while Ante Rukavina, Mario Galinović and Panathinaikos try to duplicate last year’s run as they open up play against Sparta Prague.
Most importantly, will we see Darijo Srna wear the Shakhtar orange one more time in this campaign?
Hajduk Split finally get their European campaign underway as they will most likely take on Slovak side MŠK Žilina on July 30th and August 6th. Žilina won the first leg against Dacia Chişinău 2-0.
The first leg will be away for the ‘Bili’. Hajduk was defeated by Spanish side Deportivo La Coruña in the second qualifying round last year. Hajduk held Deportivo to a scoreless draw in Spain before being defeated 2-0 at the Poljud.
Slaven Belupo really seem to be liking this Europa Cup stuff. After ripping Macedonian side Milano apart in the first leg, Slaven will only have to show up in the return leg to progress to the third qualifying round in which they will either play Dinamo Minsk from Belarus or Norwegians Tromsø. The first leg ended 0-0.
Last year, Slaven Belupo held their own against CSKA Moscow before being bounced in the third round. Do they have more in them this year?
NK Rijeka have a small hill to climb against Differdange at home next week if they expect to play in the next round. Should Rijeka overcome the 1-0 first leg loss, they would then play Ukranians Metalist Kharkiv in the third qualifying round. Rijeka have a tough road in front of them.
@ Zach G.,
You're absolutely right. I must have got all these ties and numbers and coefficients mixed up. Thanks for the heads up.
Hey Radman – where u gone? What do you think to us loaning Pivaric to Lokomotive Zagreb again? I guess we had to do something with the guy to give him more football. I'm quite interested to see how Glavina does. I guess Antolic needs a club to go out on loan too as well. Maybe exchange loan plus cash with Rijeka for Sharbini. Has anyone also heard the rumour about Sammir being targeted by Werder Bremen. Maybe this might open the door to Sharbini arriving at Maksimir.
Is Rodic and the guy from Italian Serie B club signed with Hajduk yet.
Rijeka would play Metalist. Not CSKA Sofia