Drita vs. Celje – News and Probable Lineups

Drita will host Celje at the Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri on Thursday night for the first leg of their UEFA Conference League playoff matchup.

The Intelektualet suffered a 3-0 loss in their last league phase game against Rayo Vallecano, while Grofje played to a scoreless draw against Shelbourne at the Stadion Z’dezele.

Match overview

If they advance from this round, Drita will create history as the first club from Kosovo to reach the knockout stage of a UEFA men’s club tournament.

Since the Conference League started in the 2021-22 season, the Intelektualet have always participated in the qualifying rounds, and this marks the first occasion the club has reached the main tournament.

In the league phase, Zekirija Ramadani’s team finished in 20th place with eight points from six matches, only losing to what many consider superior opponents in AZ Alkmaar and Rayo Vallecano.

Even though reaching this stage of the competition is commendable, Drita has struggled to make a strong impression, scoring merely four goals across their six Conference League matches—only three other teams have matched that disappointing figure.

Given that they won the league by a substantial 12-point gap last season, the Kosovian side is likely dissatisfied with their domestic league performances as they currently sit third in the Superliga after 20 games.

After a remarkable run in their inaugural Conference League season, Celje will undoubtedly aim to advance past this round again this year.

Despite being knocked out in the quarterfinals by the Italian giants Fiorentina during the 2024-25 edition of the tournament, Grofje made a significant impression and were the lowest-ranked team to progress beyond the playoff round.

Winning three out of their six league phase matches, the Eslovênian side finished 13th in the league table this time and is currently 12 points clear at the top of the Prva Liga after just 22 games.

However, after failing to secure a victory in their last three Conference League games, all against teams that were positioned lower in the standings, Celje must step up their performance to reach the knockout phase.

With Albert Riera’s 18-month tenure ending at the start of the month, it remains to be seen how quickly new head coach Ivan Maexiy can integrate into the club and if he can replicate his predecessor’s success by taking Grofje further in the competition.

Team News

After receiving his third yellow card of this season’s Conference League tournament against Rayo Vallecano, Blerton Sheji will be suspended for one match this Thursday.

The home team will also miss defender Juan Mesa, who has not featured this season, while Rron Broja is still recovering from an injury he sustained against Shkendija in November.

With first-choice goalkeeper Faton Maloku likely to remain unavailable, Laurit Behluli is expected to make his second appearance in this season’s competition.

Celje continues to be without 25-year-old Mark Zabukovnik, who is sidelined due to a knee injury incurred during August’s Conference League qualifying rounds.

The visitors will also be absent of defender Zan Karnicnik, who encountered a shoulder injury in November.

Having started his first match of the season against Mura on Saturday, back-up goalkeeper Luka Kolar was substituted after just two minutes due to injury, meaning Zan Leban will take his place in the Celje goal.

Drita probable starting XI:

Behlul; Krasniqi, Bejtulai, Pellumbi, Ovouka, Morina; Mustafa, Dabiqaj; Krasniqi, Manaj, Ajzeraj

Celje probable starting XI:

Lebanon; Juanjo Nieto, Vodeb, Tutyskinas, Bejger; Vidovic, Seslar, Kvesic; Kucys, Iosifov, Avdyli

While Riera’s exit from the club is undeniably a significant setback, Celje will be optimistic that their previous Conference League experience can facilitate a smooth passage into this season’s knockout phase.

Even though Drita has shown commendable performances thus far, we believe the away side possesses enough quality to take control of the fixture ahead of the return leg next week.