Looking to overturn a one-goal deficit following a chaotic first meeting last week, Egnatia Rrogozhine will welcome Borac Banja Luka to Elbasan Arena on Wednesday night for the second leg of their first-round Champions League qualifying clash.
The Albanians were narrowly defeated in the reverse fixture although fared admirably to keep the scores down as the Red and Whites pushed on hard with a numerical advantage during the second half.
Match preview
Taking to the Champions League stage last Wednesday night, Egnatia were participating in their maiden fixture in UEFA's top-tier club competition, but the Albanians did not enjoy a fairytale start to their 2023-24 continental journey as they suffered a narrow loss in Bosnia.
Following a goalless and cagey first period, the complexion of the contest changed when Egnatia man Arbin Zejnullai received a straight red card in the 58th minute, allowing the hosts to take the initiative and push hard for a winner which arrived in the 96th minute courtesy of substitute Damir Hrelja.
Incidentally, last Wednesday's defeat at Gradski Stadion was the Albanians' first within regular time of a European competition, with Egnatia's previous two continental clashes ending in draws - before a 4-2 penalty shootout defeat meant that they exited the Europa Conference League in 2023 at the hands of Ararat-Armenia.
Egnatia are enjoying their first-ever run in the Champions League thanks to their maiden success in the Albanian Superliga during the 2023-24 term, with Edlir Tetova's troops seeing off the considerable challenge of Partizani to win the playoff final by a single goal on May 26.
Wednesday's hosts struggled at their Elbasan Arena base during the backend of last campaign and will be desperate to make amends this week, with Egnatia failing to win or score during their last three matches within normal time at the venue across all competitions.
For only the third time in their history, yet already the second occasion this decade, Borac Banja Luka lifted the Bosnia Premier League at the end of the 2023-24 term, finishing two points ahead of second-placed Zrinjski Mostar, who have been an almighty force at the top of the division in recent years.
As a result, the Red and Whites secured the solitary spot offered to the Bosnian Premier League for Champions League qualification, in which Borac are now just 90 minutes away from the second round following a last-gasp added-time winner at Gradski Stadion seven days ago.
Borac marked their 25th fixture in European competition with that dramatic success last time out, meaning that they have now won three of their five matches in the Champions League, although Banja Luka are yet to taste victory on the road in UEFA's premier club competition.
The Bosnians have lost back-to-back away matches in the Champions League by an aggregate scoreline of 8-2, and any repeats of their displays at Maccabi Haifa (5-1) in 2011 or CFR Cluj (3-1) in 2021 will lead to the Red and Whites' European dreams to an abrupt conclusion.
Team News
Following his second-half dismissal in the first leg, midfielder Zejnullai will be suspended for this match, meaning that Egnatia will need to find a replacement in the engine room.
The most obvious candidate for the role is 24-year-old Alessandro Ahmetaj, who transferred to the Albanian club from Slovenian side Gorica last summer.
Tetova will also be forced into an alteration at wing-back, with 30-year-old Edison Ndreca banned after picking up his second yellow card late into the match last week.
After being replaced during the half-time interval at Gradski Stadion, right-back Zoran Kvrzic and midfielder Petar Karaklajic are both likely to be demoted to the bench.
Goalscorer Hrelja will fancy his chances of assuming the advanced role in the Borac engine room, whilst Aleks Pihler could be drafted into the backline.
Egnatia Rrogozhine possible starting lineup:
Sherri; Dulysse, Xhemajli, Aliyev; Fangaj, Ahmetaj, Aleksi, Lushkja, Malota; Kasa, Ibrahimoglu
Borac Banja Luka possible starting lineup:
Siskovski; Pihler, Meijers, Carolina, Herrera; Grahovac, Vranjes; Kulasin, Savic, Vukovic; Lukic
We say: Egnatia Rrogozhine 0-1 Borac Banja Luka (Borac win 2-0 on aggregate)
With two key players suspended for this match, Egnatia are likely to struggle as they attempt to overturn a one-goal deficit and advance into the second qualifying round.
Borac will take confidence from keeping a clean sheet last week and know that a similar performance in terms of defensive solidity will ensure their safe passage into the next stage.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
