Vitoria Vs Celje

This Wednesday marks the beginning of the Europa Conference League league phase for both Vitoria de Guimaraes and Celje, two teams determined to make an impact on the continental stage. As they face off at the iconic Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques, both sides are eager to get their group-stage campaigns off to a strong start, with each club having navigated their own paths through qualification to reach this pivotal moment.

For Vitoria de Guimaraes, this stage represents not only a chance for European glory but also an opportunity to avenge past disappointments. Their Slovenian opponents, Celje, similarly arrive at this encounter having endured a roller-coaster journey through European qualifiers, and they will be hoping to replicate last year’s success when they knocked Vitoria out of contention. Both teams are poised to give their all, with aspirations of progressing far in Europe’s third-tier competition.

Vitoria de Guimaraes: A New Chapter in European Football

Vitoria de Guimaraes, one of Portugal’s most historic and well-supported clubs, return to European competition this season with high hopes. Having qualified for the Europa Conference League after a demanding set of qualifiers, the team, under the guidance of head coach Rui Borges, is eager to showcase its potential on the continental stage. This journey is particularly significant for Vitoria, considering their past challenges in European tournaments.

Last year’s European adventure ended in heartbreak for the Portuguese outfit, as they were eliminated by none other than their upcoming opponents, Celje. The two-legged tie in the second round of Europa Conference League qualifying ended in a 4-4 aggregate draw, with Celje advancing after a dramatic penalty shootout. For Vitoria, the pain of that defeat still lingers, and this match presents an opportunity for revenge.

This season, however, Vitoria entered the competition with renewed vigor and determination, aiming to go beyond their previous shortcomings. Their journey began at the same stage as last year, with the team successfully navigating the qualifiers. In the second qualifying round, they made a strong statement by dominating Floriana, the Maltese side, with a resounding 5-0 aggregate victory. This performance was followed by another emphatic triumph, as they dispatched Swiss club FC Zurich with the same 5-0 scoreline over two legs.

Their next hurdle came in the form of Zrinjski Mostar, a formidable team from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Despite the challenge, Vitoria de Guimaraes rose to the occasion with their most commanding performance yet. In the first leg at home, they secured a comfortable 3-0 victory, with goals from key players like Manu, Nuno Santos, and Gustavo Silva. The second leg in Bosnia saw a continuation of their dominance, as they secured a 4-0 win, with striker Nelson Oliveira also finding the back of the net.

Vitoria’s progression to the league phase of the Europa Conference League has been a testament to their growing strength and cohesion under Rui Borges. Borges, who took over as head coach before the start of the season, has instilled a sense of discipline and attacking flair in the squad. His tactical acumen and ability to motivate his players have been crucial in their European success so far.

Despite their strong showing in Europe, Vitoria de Guimaraes has faced some domestic challenges in recent weeks. Following consecutive Primeira Liga victories over Famalicao and Braga, the team hit a stumbling block with a 3-0 home defeat to FC Porto. Porto, one of Portugal’s giants, proved too strong on the day, exposing some defensive frailties in the Vitoria backline. This disappointing result was followed by a 1-1 draw with Casa Pia, a match in which Vitoria struggled to impose themselves. A late own goal by Joao Goulart salvaged a point for Borges’ side, but it was clear that their domestic form had dipped.

Now, with continental competition on the horizon, Vitoria de Guimaraes must refocus their efforts and recapture the form that saw them dominate in Europe’s qualifiers. This match against Celje is not just a test of their abilities but also a chance to put their domestic struggles behind them and make a strong statement in the group stage of the Europa Conference League.

Celje: Aiming for a Repeat Victory in Portugal

Celje, the Slovenian champions, come into this encounter with fond memories of their previous clash with Vitoria de Guimaraes. Last year’s triumph over the Portuguese side in the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League remains a highlight in the club’s recent history. In that tie, Celje fought tooth and nail to secure a 4-4 aggregate draw, eventually prevailing in a penalty shootout that sent them through to the next round. While their journey ended in disappointment with a defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the following round, Celje proved that they could compete with some of Europe’s more established clubs.

This season, Albert Riera’s men have taken a different path to the group stage of the Europa Conference League. After initially setting their sights on qualifying for the Champions League, Celje’s ambitions were dashed by a defeat to Slovan Bratislava in the early stages of the competition. Undeterred, they dropped into the Europa League qualifiers, where they faced Irish club Shamrock Rovers. However, a loss to the Dublin-based side ended their hopes of reaching Europe’s secondary competition, relegating them to the Europa Conference League playoff round.

In the playoff round, Celje faced Armenian outfit Pyunik, a team with its own continental pedigree. The Slovenian side rose to the occasion, producing a stellar performance in the first leg at home. Goals from Klemen Nemanic and Luka Bobicanec, along with a late brace from young striker Armandas Kucys, secured a commanding 4-1 victory. Although the return leg in Armenia proved to be more challenging, Celje managed to hold on to their aggregate advantage, advancing to the group stage with a 4-2 win over two legs.

Under the leadership of Albert Riera, a former Spanish international and ex-player of clubs like Liverpool and Espanyol, Celje have developed into a well-organized and resilient unit. Riera’s tactical nous has been evident throughout their European campaign, with the team showing the ability to adapt to different challenges and opponents. His experience as a player at the highest level has undoubtedly rubbed off on his squad, and Celje will be looking to channel that experience as they enter the group stage.

However, Celje’s domestic form has been inconsistent, and they head into this match on the back of a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Bravo in the Slovenian PrvaLiga. That loss ended a three-match winning streak for the defending champions and left them sitting in sixth place in the league table after 10 outings. With their title defense not going as smoothly as they had hoped, Riera’s side will be eager to shift their focus to Europe and start their group-stage campaign on a positive note.

Key Players and Tactical Insights

For Vitoria de Guimaraes, several key players will be crucial to their success in this match. Nuno Santos, one of their standout performers in the qualifiers, will be relied upon to provide creativity and drive from midfield. His ability to unlock defenses with his passing and vision will be vital in breaking down Celje’s backline. Similarly, veteran striker Nelson Oliveira brings a wealth of experience and a proven goal-scoring record, having found the net multiple times in the qualifiers. His presence in the box will be a constant threat to the Slovenian defense.

On the defensive side, Vitoria will look to tighten up after recent domestic struggles. The central defensive pairing of André Amaro and Mikel Villanueva will need to be at their best to contain Celje’s attacking players, particularly Luka Bobicanec and Armandas Kucys. Bobicanec, an experienced Slovenian forward, has been in fine form, while Kucys has emerged as a promising young talent with a knack for finding the back of the net.

For Celje, their attacking trio of Nemanic, Bobicanec, and Kucys will be key to unlocking Vitoria’s defense. Bobicanec’s experience and ability to score crucial goals make him one to watch, while Kucys’ pace and movement in the final third could pose problems for Vitoria’s defense. In midfield, captain Denis Popovic will play a vital role in dictating the tempo of the game and providing a link between defense and attack.

Tactically, both teams are likely to adopt a cautious approach in the early stages of the match. Vitoria de Guimaraes will aim to control possession and break down Celje’s defense with patient build-up play, while Celje may look to sit back and hit the Portuguese side on the counterattack. The battle in midfield will be crucial, with both teams looking to assert their dominance and control the flow of the game.

Final Thoughts: The Road Ahead

As both Vitoria de Guimaraes and Celje prepare to kick off their Europa Conference League group-stage campaigns, there is much at stake for both sides. For Vitoria, this match represents an opportunity to not only avenge last year’s defeat but also make a statement of intent in Europe. A strong performance at home could set the tone for the rest of their campaign and give them the confidence to push for a deep run in the competition.

For Celje, this encounter offers the chance to once again prove that they can compete with some of Europe’s more established clubs