The Champions League group stage is nearing completion, with the final qualifying round now at its halfway point. Each two-legged tie features a home and away fixture. Some first legs have already provided decisive leads, notably Bodo/Glimt`s dominant 5-0 victory over Sturm Graz on Wednesday. The immediate impact of these matches is evident: Rangers faced boos from their fans after a defeat to Club Brugge, while Pafos FC is on the cusp of making history by potentially qualifying for the Champions League for the very first time.
Despite playing with a man advantage for over 19 minutes, Jose Mourinho`s Fenerbahçe couldn`t secure a lead against Benfica in their home leg. This crucial tie from the final qualifying round remains wide open, with everything to play for in the return leg in Portugal. Here’s a summary of the first-leg results:
Champions League Qualifying Scores
- Celtic 0, Kairat 0
- Basel 1, Copenhagen 1
- Fenerbahçe 0, SL Benfica 0
- Bodo/Glimt 5, Sturm Graz 0
- Crvena zvezda 1, Pafos FC 2
- Ferencváros 1, Qarabag 3
- Rangers 1, Club Brugge 3
Bodo/Glimt`s Dominant Performance
Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt delivered an outstanding performance against Sturm Graz on Wednesday, scoring more goals than the other three matches combined. They netted three times in the first half, effectively dismantling a team that participated in the Champions League group stage last season. Bodo/Glimt impressed in the Europa League last season, reaching the knockout stage of a European competition for the first time. However, their ambitions clearly extend beyond past achievements. With five different goal scorers, they demonstrated remarkable squad depth and a collective ability to find the net, signaling them as a team to watch in this competition.
Mourinho`s Fenerbahçe Face Uphill Battle
After reaching the Europa League Round of 16 last season, Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahçe are just 90 minutes away from a Champions League berth. They would have preferred to carry a lead into their away leg in Portugal, but despite Florentino Luis receiving a red card, Fenerbahçe failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage. While significant additions like Jhon Duran have joined the squad, expectations remain high under Mourinho`s leadership. The Turkish side struggled to create clear-cut chances at home, and despite a solid defensive display, they`ll want to avoid a penalty shootout in the return fixture. With potent forwards like Youssef En-Nesyri and Duran leading the attack, goals shouldn`t be a problem for Fenerbahçe, making any attacking struggles in the second leg potentially very costly.
Rangers Hear Boos After Home Defeat
In Scotland, Rangers have noticeably lagged behind their rivals Celtic, having competed in the Europa League last season while Celtic featured prominently in the Champions League. Losing their home playoff leg by two goals to Club Brugge could effectively end the Ibrox club`s Champions League aspirations. Manager Russell Martin has previously criticized the egos and mentality within his squad, a situation that hasn`t led to improved performances.
By the final whistle, Rangers` fans vocally expressed their disappointment, having expected much more from their team. Club Brugge, aiming for their second consecutive Champions League group stage appearance, are now well-positioned after this crucial away victory.
Pafos FC On The Brink of Historic Qualification
The expansion of the Champions League continues to open doors for new participants, and Cypriot club Pafos FC is on the verge of a historic debut. They are close to reaching the Champions League group stage for the first time ever, following an impressive 2-1 victory away against regular UCL contenders Crvena zvezda.
Pafos managed to maintain control during their away fixture against Crvena zvezda. Their rapid progress is notable; the 2024-25 season marked their inaugural foray into European football, where they reached the UEFA Conference League Round of 16. Using that experience as a stepping stone for Champions League qualification is remarkably impressive and could introduce the 9,300-seat Stelios Kyriakides Stadium to Europe`s elite competition. While significant work remains, the investments made since 2017, including the rebuilding of their training center and the appointment of Juan Carlos Carcedo as manager, are clearly bearing fruit.
Can Robbie Keane`s Ferencváros Stage a Comeback?
Despite taking a 1-0 lead before halftime, Robbie Keane`s Ferencváros now face a considerable challenge in their away leg against Qarabag in Azerbaijan. This tie presents a chance for Keane to manage in the Champions League for the first time. Since taking the helm at Maccabi Tel Aviv and subsequently moving to Hungary, Keane has steadily accumulated significant managerial experience. He has consistently fielded well-organized teams, but achieving Champions League qualification by overturning this deficit could significantly elevate his profile for future high-level managerial positions. With a distinguished playing career behind him, Keane is pursuing a challenging path in management, yet it has proven successful thus far.
