UEFA Europa League Gameweek 3
Celje 2 - 2 FT Red Bull Salzburg
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Futmetrix Verdict
52
FT
Thu, Oct 22
Bournemouth
3-0
AC Milan
⚡ Intensity
75
⚖️ Balance
20
🏆 Stakes
3
🎲 Upset
0
Two penalties, one red card, total control
Futmetrix Verdict
26
FT
Thu, Oct 22
Sturm Graz
1-0
Marseille
⚡ Intensity
22
⚖️ Balance
31
🏆 Stakes
11
🎲 Upset
60
Diakité struck; Marseille never answered
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Sota Kitano (Damir Redzic) 9'
Damir Redzic 35'
43' Pijus Sirvys
↓ Yorbe Vertessen ↑Jesper Lindstrom 45'
↓ Umut Deger Tohumcu ↑Bartosz Mazurek 45'
HT
Jesper Lindstrom (Damir Redzic) 46'
50' Blaž Kramer (Svit Seslar)
60' ↓ Veton Tusha ↑Yaya Dukuly
↓ Sota Kitano ↑Gaoussou Diakité 65'
81' ↓ Benjamin Verbič ↑A. Kučys
81' ↓ Pijus Sirvys ↑Žan Žužek
↓ Damir Redzic ↑Frans Kratzig 83'
90' A. Kučys (Yaya Dukuly)
Bartosz Mazurek 90'+2
90'+4 ↓ Mario Kvesić ↑Darko Hrka
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Celje
Goalkeepers
Žan-Luk Leban 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Pijus Sirvys 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
71%
Duel Win %
Łukasz Bejger
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Artemijus Tutyškinas 
MAGNET
79
Activity
79
Activity
71
Passes
8
Duels
Milot Avdyli
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
73%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Svit Sešlar 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
6.8
Rating
Mark Zabukovnik
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Mario Kvesic 
SWEEPER
4
Cleanups
4
Cleanups
4
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Forwards
Veton Tusha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
60
Total Mins
60
Entry
Blaž Kramer 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Benjamin Verbic
LATE SHIFT
9
Late Mins
9
Late Mins
81
Total Mins
81
Entry
BENCH
Ziga Frelih 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Luka Kolar
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Alpha Diounkou
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Leonardo Koutris
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Žan Žužek 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Papa Mustapha Daniel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Darko Hrka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Yaya Dukuly
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
7.1
Rating
Matic Ivanšek
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Armandas Kucys 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
8.1
Rating
D. Suhovrsnik
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Red Bull Salzburg
Goalkeepers
Christian Zawieschitzky
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Leandro Morgalla
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
8
Tackles
53%
Duel Win %
Kevin Boma
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tim Drexler
MAGNET
82
Activity
82
Activity
79
Passes
3
Duels
Dominik Schmid 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
2
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Midfielders
Abubakr Barry
MAGNET
83
Activity
83
Activity
73
Passes
10
Duels
Umut Tohumcu
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Damir Redzic 
ARCHITECT
6
Key Passes
6
Key Passes
2
Assists
15%
Pass Acc
Sota Kitano 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.5
Rating
Yorbe Vertessen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
46
Total Mins
45
Entry
Forwards
Haris Tabaković
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Nikola Šarčević
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Christian Früchtl
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Valentin Zabransky
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
John Mellberg
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Stefan Lainer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Frans Krätzig
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
7
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bartosz Mazurek
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
44
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jesper Lindstrøm
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
3
Shots
7.2
Rating
Aboubacar Camara
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Soumaïla Diabaté
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Karim Konaté
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
G. Diakité
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
25
Total Mins
Started
Entry
League Standings
P: 3 GD: +8
P: 3 GD: +6
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +7
P: 3 GD: +6
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 3 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: +5
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -5
P: 3 GD: -5
P: 3 GD: -7
P: 3 GD: -8
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -5
P: 3 GD: -5
P: 3 GD: -6
League Standings
P: 3 GD: +8
P: 3 GD: +8
P: 3 GD: +7
P: 3 GD: +6
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +7
P: 3 GD: +6
P: 3 GD: +4
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +4
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: +5
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -1
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -3
P: 3 GD: -5
P: 3 GD: -5
P: 3 GD: -7
P: 3 GD: -8
P: 3 GD: -5
P: 3 GD: -5
P: 3 GD: -6
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Celje
Red Bull Salzburg
Celje
Red Bull Salzburg
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Two Goals Down, One Last-Minute Answer
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 74/100. A 90th-minute equaliser gave Celje a hard-earned point and denied Red Bull Salzburg a win from a two-goal lead in the league phase.
The Opening Act
Salzburg struck early, but Celje never let the night settle. At Stadion Z’dežele, the visitors took the lead in the ninth minute, when Sota Kitano finished after Damir Redzic opened the defence with the first of his two assists. The hosts had to absorb that blow, yet kept finding routes forward rather than retreating into their shell. Salzburg edged possession, 53% to 47%, but that advantage did not amount to a grip on the contest. Celje fashioned four big chances to Salzburg’s one and recorded 1.68 expected goals against 1.62. A high Intensity label fits a match where initiative kept shifting, even before the scoreline caught up. Salzburg’s early punch was real; Celje’s refusal to fold was the first clue this would not be a comfortable away night.
The Pivot
The decisive swing came just after half-time. Jesper Lindstrom, sent on at the break, struck in the 46th minute, and Redzic supplied his second assist to put Salzburg 2-0 ahead. That should have forced Celje into a desperate chase; instead, the home side answered within four minutes. Svit Seslar picked out Blaž Kramer, whose 50th-minute finish made it 2-1 and put the match back within reach. The Balance was not about equal possession, but how quickly each side punished a lapse: Salzburg had 15 shots to Celje’s nine, yet the hosts stayed alive and kept creating danger. Seven of the 24 attempts hit the target. Celje’s immediate reply mattered most; it stopped Salzburg settling into a defensive rhythm and gave the hosts a clear route back.
The Resolution
Salzburg’s lead survived until the final minute, when Celje’s late pressure finally paid off. Yaya Dukuly, introduced in the second half, set up A. Kučys, who had come on in the 81st minute and finished in the 90th to make it 2-2. The draw was a rescue for Celje and a frustration for Salzburg: the visitors had scored twice, including straight after half-time, but could not protect their advantage. The Stakes are practical in a long league phase: Celje take a point, while Salzburg leave two behind after leading by two. The final burst changed the mood from an uphill chase to a deserved share of the spoils. Celje leave with proof their persistence can alter a European night; Salzburg with a warning about closing one out.
Key Questions
Did Celje deserve the late equaliser?
Yes. Celje created four big chances, matched Salzburg’s expected goals and kept pressing until Kučys scored in the 90th minute.
How did Celje complete the comeback from behind?
Blaž Kramer scored four minutes after Salzburg’s second goal, then Kučys converted Dukuly’s assist in the 90th minute.
How did substitute B. Kramer change the game?
B. Kramer was not a substitute; he started and scored Celje’s 50th-minute goal, which reignited the comeback.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Tournament Survival Hangs in the Balance
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 61/100. A desperate Celje host Red Bull Salzburg in a clash where European lifelines are rapidly running out for the hosts.
The Setup
Celje find themselves rooted to 35th place after two defeats, leaving their tournament hopes hanging by a thread. Facing Red Bull Salzburg on October 22, 2026, the hosts desperately need to reverse a dire Form rating that has seen them concede five goals without reply. The visitors sit 21st, clinging to a precious top-24 playoff spot. While the overall Stars rating is noticeably low, the Stakes for the home side could not be higher as they fight to avoid early elimination. A strong Balance score suggests Celje could make this a physical contest, but they must find an attacking spark soon.
Key Battle
Expect a gritty collision between the physical home midfield and the high-pressing Austrian attackers. With Celje desperate to protect a fragile backline, their central unit must break up the visitors' rhythm before the likes of O. Gloukh and K. Konaté can exploit the spaces left behind. It will be a test of pure endurance versus offensive execution.
Our Prediction
Salzburg's superior quality in the final third will ultimately break down a stubborn but limited defense. We expect the visitors to control possession and grind out a 2-0 victory, pushing the hosts further toward the European exit door.