Looking to overturn a one-goal deficit following a chaotic first meeting last week, Egnatia Rrogozhine will welcome Borac Banja Luka to Elbasan Arena on Wednesday night for the second leg of their first-round Champions League qualifying clash.
The Albanians were narrowly defeated in the reverse fixture although fared admirably to keep the scores down as the Red and Whites pushed on hard with a numerical advantage during the second half.
Taking to the Champions League stage last Wednesday night, Egnatia were participating in their maiden fixture in UEFA’s top-tier club competition, but the Albanians did not enjoy a fairytale start to their 2023-24 continental journey as they suffered a narrow loss in Bosnia.
Following a goalless and cagey first period, the complexion of the contest changed when Egnatia man Arbin Zejnullai received a straight red card in the 58th minute, allowing the hosts to take the initiative and push hard for a winner which arrived in the 96th minute courtesy of substitute Damir Hrelja.
Incidentally, last Wednesday’s defeat at Gradski Stadion was the Albanians’ first within regular time of a European competition, with Egnatia’s previous two continental clashes ending in draws – before a 4-2 penalty shootout defeat meant that they exited the Europa Conference League in 2023 at the hands of Ararat-Armenia.
Egnatia are enjoying their first-ever run in the Champions League thanks to their maiden success in the Albanian Superliga during the 2023-24 term, with Edlir Tetova’s troops seeing off the considerable challenge of Partizani to win the playoff final by a single goal on May 26.
Wednesday’s hosts struggled at their Elbasan Arena base during the backend of last campaign and will be desperate to make amends this week, with Egnatia failing to win or score during their last three matches within normal time at the venue across all competitions.
