UEFA Champions League 1st Qualifying Round
Kairat Almaty 2 - 0 FT Olimpija Ljubljana
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Kairat Almaty
Midfielders
G. Fink
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Diga
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
V. Jelenkovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Muhamedbegovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Blanco
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Doffo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
P. Agba
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Pinto
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Kojic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Tamm
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Brest
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
M. Dajcar
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Urbancic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Mitrovski
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
I. Durdov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Pedreno
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
F. Ananou
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Gorenc
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
M. Acimovic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Marin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Olimpija Ljubljana
Midfielders
A. Zarutskiy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Mrynskiy
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Martynovich
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Sorokin
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Mata
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
E. Tapalov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Glazer
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Kasabulat
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Jorginho
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Edmilson Santos
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Satpaev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
BENCH
T. Anarbekov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Sadybekov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Zaria
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
O. Arad
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
A. Shirobokov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
J. Stanojev
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
L. Gadrani
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
V. Gromyko
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
D. Tashpulatov
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
I. Bekbolat
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Bagdat
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Ricardinho
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/07/2025 | Olimpija Ljubljana | 1 - 1 | Kairat Almaty | UEFA Champions League | Stadion Stožice |
08/07/2025
Kairat Almaty Win
Olimpija Ljubljana Win
Draw
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
Kairat's Blitzkrieg: Almaty Silences Ljubljana's European Dream
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 24/100. This wasn't a contest—it was a statement, as Kairat Almaty dismantled Olimpija Ljubljana with clinical efficiency to seize control of their Champions League tie.
The Perfect Start
From the opening whistle, Kairat attacked with intensity that caught their visitors off guard. Jorginho needed just five minutes to break the deadlock, latching onto a perfectly weighted delivery from L. Mata to fire past Ljubljana's defence. The goal set the tone for what would become a relentless display of dominance at Almaty Central Stadium. Olimpija barely had time to settle before finding themselves chasing shadows.
Control and Conviction
The balance of play never shifted. Kairat pressed high, moved the ball with purpose, and suffocated Ljubljana's midfield before it could gain any rhythm. By the 31st minute, the Slovenian side's misery deepened when A. Mrynskiy capitalized on another swift Kairat move, this time assisted by the ever-present Jorginho. Two goals in 26 minutes against a team desperate to make an impression on Europe's grandest stage—it was a chastening lesson in preparation and execution.
The Damage Done
With the tie effectively decided, Kairat controlled the remainder without panic. Olimpija offered resistance in patches but never threatened the Almaty side's composure. The stakes of the return leg now favour the hosts decisively. For Ljubljana, this away defeat represents a crisis—they must overturn a two-goal deficit against a team that showed clinical ruthlessness in the opening half-hour. The mountain is steep, and the oxygen is thin.
Key Questions
Did Kairat's early goals decide the tie?
Largely, yes. Two goals in 26 minutes gave Almaty a commanding buffer. Ljubljana faces an uphill battle in the return leg.
How did Jorginho perform?
Exceptional. One goal and one assist in 26 minutes—he orchestrated Kairat's attack with precision and tempo.
What's next for Ljubljana?
They must win the return leg by three goals or more to advance. A monumental task after this display.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
Fine Margins at Almaty Central Stadium
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 8/100. This first-leg clash serves as a high-stakes survival test for two sides desperate to find their footing and keep their European aspirations alive.
The Setup
Kairat Almaty enters this continental campaign with a concerning domestic Form, having failed to secure a victory in their last five matches. Their defensive record—conceding 19 goals across seven games—suggests a vulnerability that Olimpija Ljubljana will be keen to exploit. Despite the low number of Stars on display, the competitive Balance remains narrow; both teams understand that a single lapse in concentration at Almaty Central Stadium could end their journey before it truly begins. For the home side, the Stakes are high as they look to arrest a slump that has seen them pick up only one point from a possible fifteen.
Key Battle
With no marquee individuals dominating the headlines, the tie will be decided by the tactical discipline of the respective midfields. Kairat's central unit must provide a much-needed shield for a porous backline that has looked fragile under pressure. Olimpija Ljubljana will likely attempt to control the tempo, using patient possession to frustrate the home support and lure the Kazakh side into overcommitting. It is a classic confrontation of defensive restoration versus opportunistic control.
Our Prediction
Expect a tentative encounter where neither side is willing to take the risks necessary to blow the tie open. Kairat will prioritize defensive solidity to avoid a disastrous home deficit, while Ljubljana will be content to return home with a draw. A 1-1 stalemate is the most likely outcome, with the goals coming from set-pieces rather than open-play brilliance.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Only if you appreciate the raw, nervous tension of early-round European knockout football.
What's the predicted outcome?
A 1-1 draw that leaves the tie perfectly balanced for the second leg.
Where are Kairat Almaty and Olimpija Ljubljana in the league table?
This is a knockout qualifying round; league positions are currently secondary to aggregate scores.
What is Kairat Almaty's current form?
Poor. They have four losses and one draw in their last five outings.
What does this mean for qualification?
The winner advances toward the UCL league stage and the top-24 playoff line.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.