Thecuy.com – In the opening match of the UEFA Champions League 2026‑2027 third qualifying round, Levski Sofia will meet Kairat Almaty. Both sides view this leg as a crucial chance to earn a spot in the Champions League play‑offs, the pathway to Europe’s top club competition.
After a 16‑year absence, Levski Sofia are back in Champions League qualifying, having toppled Ludogorets Razgrad to claim Bulgaria’s league title last season. The Sofia side boasts a rich European pedigree, last featuring in the Champions League group phase in 2006‑07. They will welcome Kairat to Georgi Asparuhov Stadium, expected to line up in a 4‑3‑3 set‑up directed by Julio Velazquez.
Kairat Almaty, the aspiration‑driven champions of Kazakhstan, enter the contest fresh from a group‑stage run in the Champions League last term. Despite collecting just a single point from eight games, that exposure proves a key weapon for Rafael Urazbakhtin’s side as they face Levski Sofia. The coach is expected to deploy a 4‑2‑3‑1 lineup.
Levski Sofia have shown strong form domestically and in earlier qualifying ties, beating Borac and Cralova on aggregate. A 3‑0 triumph over Septemvri at the weekend underlined their current confidence. Kairat, meanwhile, progressed to this stage via a dramatic penalty‑shootout victory over Omonia, revealing a winning mindset.
The 2026‑27 Champions League play‑offs will pit 14 clubs against each other over two legs to decide who joins the group phase. UEFA’s draw also set up pairings such as Celtic versus LASK and a potential Lyon‑Fenerbahçe showdown. The first legs are slated for 18‑19 August, with the returns on 25‑26 August 2026.
A tightly contested and tactically charged duel is expected between Levski Sofia and Kairat Almaty, as each side seeks a decisive result that could propel them into the Champions League’s elite round. Despite their contrasting backgrounds and goals, both clubs are capable of offering fans a thrilling encounter.
The anticipated starting XI for the fixture is:
| Levski Sofia (4-3-3) | Posisi | Kairat (4-2-3-1) | Posisi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vutsov | Kiper | Anarbekov | Kiper |
| Neves | Bek Kanan | Mrynskiy | Bek Kanan |
| Dimitrov | Bek Tengah | Africo | Bek Tengah |
| Serafimov | Bek Tengah | Martynovich | Bek Tengah |
| Maicon | Bek Kiri | Machado | Bek Kiri |
| Bouras | Gelandang Tengah | Oksanen | Gelandang Bertahan |
| Serginho | Gelandang Tengah | Mendonsa | Gelandang Bertahan |
| Moubarik | Gelandang Tengah | Jukkola | Gelandang Serang |
| Reinaldo | Penyerang Kanan | Kasabulat | Gelandang Serang |
| Oko-Flex | Penyerang Tengah | Kurgin | Gelandang Serang |
| Bala | Penyerang Kiri | Gual | Penyerang Tengah |
The encounter is seen as a chance for both clubs to benchmark themselves on the European stage and to carve new chapters in their UEFA Champions League histories.
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