The UEFA Europa Conference League Third Qualifying Round serves up an intriguing clash as Swiss side Lugano hosts Slovenian champions Celje at the Arena Thun. This two-legged tie is a pivotal step on the path to the Europa Conference League group stage, with both clubs eager to establish an advantage in the first match. The winner of this tie will advance to the play-off round for a chance to reach the group stage.
Lugano enters the match with a strong home record and a point to prove after a recent string of inconsistent performances in both domestic and European competitions. The Swiss side, with their passionate home crowd, will be aiming to secure a decisive victory to boost their confidence. Celje, meanwhile, has shown resilience in their European campaign, demonstrating the ability to perform under pressure. The Slovenian side will be looking to score a vital away goal and keep the tie close heading into the second leg. This clash promises to be a strategic battle with a high level of intensity, as both clubs have a clear path to the play-off round in their sights.
Match Details
- Competition: UEFA Europa Conference League Third Qualifying Round (First Leg)
- Location: Thun, Switzerland (as the venue for Lugano’s home match)
- Stadium: Arena Thun
- Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 2:30 PM ET / 8:30 PM CEST
- Referee: Sander van der Eijk (Netherlands)
Head-to-Head & Form Guide
Lugano and Celje have a limited but recent head-to-head history. They met in the Europa Conference League Round of 16 in the previous season. Both teams won their home legs, but Celje advanced after a penalty shootout. This prior encounter adds an extra layer of intrigue to this new qualifying match-up.
Lugano:
Lugano comes into this crucial qualifier on the back of a tough run, with one win, one draw, and three losses in their last five matches. After being eliminated from the Europa League qualifiers by CFR Cluj, the Swiss side has struggled to find their form. Their most recent outing was a dramatic 4-0 loss to Sion. Despite these setbacks, Lugano has a strong home advantage and a talented squad with players capable of turning the tide. They will be looking to their star players, such as Renato Steffen and Uran Bislimi, to inspire a much-needed victory in this first leg.
- August 3, 2025: Sion 4–0 Lugano (Swiss Super League)
- July 31, 2025: CFR Cluj 1–0 Lugano (Europa League Qualifying)
- July 27, 2025: Lugano 1–2 Thun (Swiss Super League)
- July 24, 2025: Lugano 0–0 CFR Cluj (Europa League Qualifying)
Celje:
Celje comes into this match with an impressive run of form, with three wins and one loss in their last five matches. The Slovenian side began their European campaign in the Europa League qualifiers, where they beat Sabah Baku and AEK Larnaca before being eliminated by AEK Larnaca. Their domestic season has started well, with a dominant 5-0 victory over Olimpija Ljubljana in their most recent domestic league match, which will have significantly boosted team morale. Celje will be looking to capitalize on Lugano’s recent poor form and rely on their disciplined defending and opportunistic attack, led by key players such as Franko Kovačević and Nikita Iosifov, who have been consistent goal threats in their European matches.
- August 3, 2025: Olimpija Ljubljana 0–5 Celje (Slovenian PrvaLiga)
- July 31, 2025: AEK Larnaca 2–1 Celje (Europa League Qualifying)
- July 27, 2025: Celje 2–0 Radomlje (Slovenian PrvaLiga)
- July 24, 2025: Celje 1–1 AEK Larnaca (Europa League Qualifying)
Tactical Analysis & Key Players
This match is expected to be a test of Lugano’s home advantage and attacking prowess against Celje’s disciplined and experienced side. Lugano will likely seek to establish a high tempo from the start, utilizing their home advantage and talented squad to control possession and create scoring opportunities. Celje, under manager Albert Riera, will likely be organized and compact, looking to frustrate Lugano and hit them on the counter-attack. The battle in midfield will be crucial, with both teams looking to win the ball and dictate the tempo. The match is poised to be an open and exciting affair with a high potential for goals.
How to Watch Lugano vs. Celje on TV, Live Stream
| Country | TV/Live Stream |
|---|---|
| Switzerland | N/A |
| Slovenia | N/A |
| United States | beIN SPORTS, Fox Sports |
| United Kingdom | N/A |
In the United States, the match will be broadcast live on beIN SPORTS and Fox Sports. For other regions, broadcasting information is not yet confirmed. It is also common for some clubs to provide live streams on their official websites or YouTube channels for European qualifiers, so it is worth checking those sources.
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
