With the tie delicately poised following a goalless stalemate in the first leg, Shakhtyor Soligorsk and Maribor renew hostilities for the second leg of their Champions League first-round qualifying battle on Wednesday night.
Either Sheriff Tiraspol or Zrinjski will await the victors in the second round, and history is there to be made for the Belarusian champions.
Match preview
Soligorsk continued their theme of failing to score in the Champions League in last week's first leg, but even that 0-0 draw has set Sergey Tashuev's side up well to try to do what no Miners team has done before them in the Champions League - reach the second round of qualifying.
This week's hosts have previously fallen to Siroki Brijeg and Ludogorets at the first hurdle in 2006-07 and 2021-22 - losing all four games by a 1-0 scoreline - so a path into the second round would see Tashuev's current crop write their name into the history books for more than one reason.
Soligorsk have been frequent visitors to the second and third rounds of Europa League qualifying, and they will still be presented with the opportunity to try to progress in the Europa Conference League should their run in the top tier come to an end this week.
The Miners continue to languish in mid-table obscurity in the 2022 Belarusian Premier League - currently sixth in the table but with games in hand on the sides above them - and their defensive nous at the New Sakarya Stadium has seen them ship just two goals in their last six competitive home matches.
Sixteen-time Slovenian champions Maribor would enter their first-round clash with Soligorsk boasting a far greater continental pedigree, but such a standing counts for nought if Radovan Karanovic's side cannot place the ball into the back of the net.
Following the retirement of club legend and all-time top goalscorer Marcos Tavares, it may not have come as a huge surprise to see Maribor's levels of ruthlessness drop a tad, as this week's visitors played out a 0-0 draw following three consecutive friendly stalemates.
Maribor will commence the defence of their Slovenian top-flight title three days after doing battle with Soligorsk, and while Karanovic's side have never been eliminated from the first round of Champions League qualifying, they were beaten at that stage in Europa League qualifying by Coleraine last year.
The events of the past 12 months therefore do not favour the Violets, who have three Champions League group stage appearances to their name - most recently in the 2017-18 season - and Soligorsk will prove no pushovers on their own turf.
- D
- L
- W
- W
- W
- L
- D
- D
Team News
Shakhtyor Soligorsk's Roman Yuzepchuk had to be withdrawn at half time in the first leg due to an unspecified injury problem, and the 24-year-old may therefore cede his spot on the right to Igor Ivanovic.
Tashuev otherwise has no reason to alter the XI that impressively held Maribor to a draw away from home, with Nikita Korzun serving a domestic ban but fine to take his place in the side here.
Centre-back Ruslan Khadarkevich will once again miss out owing to a meniscus injury, leaving Milos Satara to pair up with captain Sergey Politevich at the back.
Meanwhile, Maribor came through the first leg without any new faces entering the treatment room, but Karanovic will ponder some changes to his firing line after an underwhelming attacking display last time out.
Ferencvaros loanee Roko Baturina was given the nod in the number nine position from the off in Maribor, but Rok Sirk and Zan Vipotnik will challenge the 22-year-old for his place in the side here.
Shakhtyor Soligorsk possible starting lineup:
Plotnikov; Shevchenko, Satara, Politevich, Antic; Divanovic, Krymi, Ahmedi; Ivanovic, Darboe, Feijao
Maribor possible starting lineup:
Bergsen; Milec, Watson, Mitrovic, Sikosek; Repas, Makoumbou; Zugelj, Kronaveter, Bozic; Baturina
We say: Shakhtyor Soligorsk 1-1 Maribor (A.E.T - Maribor to win on penalties)
Finding the right defensive formula at home has not been an issue for Shakhtyor Soligorsk over the past few weeks, and advancing in the Champions League would at least make up for their early setbacks in defending their Belarusian title.
One can expect Tashuev's men to once again frustrate their more revered visitors, who may have to rely on penalties to avoid being knocked out in the first round for the first time ever.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
