UEFA Champions League Play-offs
Celje 1 - 2 AET Slovan Bratislava
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Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
16' P. Sirvys
A. Sporar (K. Bajric) 18'
34' S. Seslar
HT
S. Cruz 54'
59' M. Avdyli
73' ↓ P. Daniel ↑B. Verbic
↓ R. Ibrahim ↑A. Mustafic 73'
73' ↓ P. Sirvys ↑A. Dionkou
↓ T. Barseghyan ↑N. Marcelli 73'
80' ↓ Y. Dukuly ↑M. Ivansek
80' ↓ A. Kotnik ↑A. Kucys
↓ A. Sporar ↑R. Cerepkai 81'
84' A. Tutyskinas
C. Martinez (N. Marcelli) 100'
↓ S. Camara ↑A. Maros 103'
106' ↓ D. Hrka ↑L. Koutris
↓ C. Martinez ↑D. Ignatenko 106'
106' ↓ M. Kvesic ↑M. Poplatnik
118' B. Verbic
119' A. Kotnik
↓ C. Blackman ↑K. Wimmer 120'
120'+1 V. Campelos
120'+1 S. Seslar
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Celje
Goalkeepers
Žan-Luk Leban 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
122
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Pijus Sirvys
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Darko Hrka 
MAGNET
113
Activity
113
Activity
108
Passes
5
Duels
Artemijus Tutyškinas
MAGNET
105
Activity
105
Activity
101
Passes
4
Duels
Milot Avdyli 
DRIBBLER
5
Dribbles
5
Dribbles
8
Attempts
62%
Success %
Midfielders
Papa Mustapha Daniel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Mark Zabukovnik
MAGNET
78
Activity
78
Activity
72
Passes
6
Duels
Yaya Dukuly
LATE SHIFT
10
Late Mins
10
Late Mins
80
Total Mins
80
Entry
Svit Sešlar 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Mario Kvesic 
ARCHITECT
5
Key Passes
5
Key Passes
0
Assists
38%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Andrej Kotnik 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Red Card
Mistake
Red Card
Mistake
0
Fouls
6.2
Rating
BENCH
Luka Kolar 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Ziga Frelih
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Alpha Diounkou
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
49
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Damjan Vuklisevic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ivan Ćalušić
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Leonardo Koutris
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Benjamin Verbic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
49
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Veton Tusha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matic Ivanšek
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
42
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rudi Pozeg Vancas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Armandas Kucys
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
42
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matej Poplatnik
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Slovan Bratislava
Goalkeepers
Dominik Takáč
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
122
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
César Blackman 
SWEEPER
4
Cleanups
4
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
1
Blocks
Kenan Bajrič 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
86%
Duel Win %
Svetozar Marković
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
122
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sandro Cruz
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
42%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Cristian Jesús Martínez
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Peter Pokorný
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
3
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Tigran Barseghyan
FRIENDLY FIRE
Pen Given
Mistake
Pen Given
Mistake
1
Fouls
6.6
Rating
Tag Eldin Ibrahim
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Suleiman Camara 
NPC
103
Minutes
103
Minutes
13%
Pass Acc
6.3
Rating
Forwards
Andraž Šporar
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
BENCH
Aleksandar Popovic
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Samuel Kozlovsky
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kevin Wimmer
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
2
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nino Marcelli 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
49
Minutes
6.7
Rating
Alen Mustafic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
49
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Artur Gajdoš
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alasana Yirajang
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alexej Maros
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Danylo Ignatenko
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Daiki Matsuoka
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Roman Čerepkai
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
41
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Manasse Kianga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/19/2026 | Slovan Bratislava | 1 - 1 | Celje | UEFA Champions League | Tehelne Pole Stadion |
| 07/30/2024 | Slovan Bratislava | 5 - 0 | Celje | UEFA Champions League | Štadión Tehelné pole |
| 07/24/2024 | Celje | 1 - 1 | Slovan Bratislava | UEFA Champions League | Stadion Z'dežele |
08/19/2026
07/30/2024
07/24/2024
Celje Win
Slovan Bratislava Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Celje
Slovan Bratislava
Celje
Slovan Bratislava
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Slovan Strike Late to Break Celje Hearts in Extra Time
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 97/100. A pulsating Champions League playoff that went the distance before extra-time heroics sent Slovan Bratislava through to the Round of 16.
Early Fireworks
The massive Stakes of this playoff tie were immediately clear at Arena Z'dezele. With the aggregate score delicately poised after a 1-1 first leg, Slovan Bratislava silenced the home crowd early on. A. Sporar found the back of the net in the 18th minute, capping off a sharp move orchestrated by defensive anchor K. Bajric. However, Celje refused to fold. They controlled possession, dominating the ball with 61 percent, and eventually broke through a resilient defensive block. A penalty awarded in the 34th minute allowed S. Seslar to step up and level the match. The sheer Intensity was palpable as both teams traded heavy blows, contributing to a staggering 36 total shots on the night. Goalkeepers at both ends were incredibly busy, combining for 11 vital saves just to keep their respective teams alive before the break.
The Extra-Time Breakthrough
As the second half unfolded, a tense tactical stalemate gripped the pitch. Neither side could find the decisive touch within the standard ninety minutes, pushing the tie into extra time with the aggregate score locked at 2-2. The Balance of the match was extraordinary, testing the physical and mental limits of every player involved in this gruelling contest. The defining breakthrough finally arrived in the 100th minute. Substitute N. Marcelli injected fresh energy into the visiting attack and delivered a pinpoint assist. Cristian Martínez was perfectly positioned to slot the ball home, giving the away side a crucial 2-1 lead on the night and a 3-2 advantage on aggregate. This crucial goal shattered the home side's momentum completely.
A Bitter Conclusion
Desperation quickly set in for the Slovenian hosts. Despite throwing players forward and earning a flurry of late corners, they simply could not bypass the disciplined visiting backline. Frustrations ultimately boiled over in the dying moments of the match. A. Kotnik was shown a straight red card in the 119th minute, a dismissal that extinguished any lingering hopes of a miraculous late equaliser. The final whistle confirmed a memorable result with a high Upset Factor, as the resilient underdogs officially secured their progression. It was a classic European knockout night where sheer character triumphed over ball retention, leaving the heartbroken hosts to reflect on what might have been as their continental journey came to an abrupt, punishing halt.
Key Questions
How did the red card for A. Kotnik impact the match?
Arriving in the 119th minute, Kotnik's dismissal simply extinguished any lingering hopes of a last-second Celje equaliser, mathematically sealing Slovan's progression.
How dramatic was the late winner by Kenan Bajrić?
While Bajrić provided an important early assist, it was actually Cristian Martínez who scored the dramatic 100th-minute extra-time winner to decide the tie.
How did substitute Kenan Bajrić change the game?
Bajrić started the match and assisted the opener; the true game-changing substitute was N. Marcelli, who came off the bench to assist the winner.
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.
A tense Champions League playoff decider
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 75/100. Tied at 1-1 after a gritty first leg, this winner-takes-all clash is a tense affair where one mistake will shatter Champions League dreams.
The Setup
There is no tomorrow for Celje and Slovan Bratislava. Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg—where R. Cerepkai and M. Avdyli traded crucial blows—the tie is perfectly poised. A win sends either side into the lucrative Champions League main competition, while another stalemate guarantees extra time drama. With the win probability virtually a dead heat (34.9% vs 34.1%), the Balance is off the charts. The Stakes could not be higher for both clubs. While a low Stars rating reflects the absence of household names, a strong collective Form suggests we are guaranteed goals in this decisive encounter.
Key Battle
With the tie hanging by a thread, the critical battleground pits the home side's defensive unit against a Slovan attack spearheaded by D. Strelec and N. Marcelli. Celje's back line must absorb heavy pressure while looking for quick transitions, trying to catch out a Slovan midfield that tends to commit bodies forward when chasing the game.
Our Prediction
Our verdict points to a nervy, cautious opening half before the match explodes into life. Slovan's slight edge in attacking fluidity should see them break Celje's resistance late on, securing a dramatic 2-1 away victory.