Domzale and Ufa battle for a spot in the third qualifying round of the Europa League

Domzale and Ufa battle for a spot in the third qualifying round of the Europa League

NK Domzale vs Ufa – Thursday, August 2, 19:30 BST/20:30 CEST – Športni Park, Domzale, Slovenia

Domzale vs Ufa will take place at the Sportni Park in Domzale

Domzale vs Ufa will take place at the Sportni Park in Domzale

NK Domzale are already five competitive games into their season and are yet to be beaten following their 0-0 draw away to Ufa in the first round. The difficulty they face is adapting to the very different atmosphere of playing like a powerhouse of their domestic game where they enjoy the lion’s share of possession in most matches to being a solid but unspectacular deep-lying outfit on the continent. All three European matches so far have been drawn.

Ex-Lokomotiv Moscow playmaker Senijad Ibričić bagged two goals in a comfortable win over Rudar in the league at the weekend before being hauled off to preserve him for the return leg. Muscular Jamaican striker Shamar Nicholson only came off the bench late on in Ufa last week, and with him starting the same league match a few days ago it is uncertain how much he will feature in this time round either.

The pressures of grasping the financial rewards on offer by further progression has been heightened by Domzale’s link to the crisis in Italian football that has seen three clubs declare bankruptcy. One of them, Bari, signed Jure Balkovec from Ufa’s opponents and still owe 150,000 euros to the Slovenian club, but will now be unable to fulfill their obligations. A windfall of that size is hard to ignore.

Ufa were agonisingly denied a victory over Russian champions Lokomotiv Moscow at the weekend when Sylvester Igboun’s poor 94th-minute penalty was palmed away. The Nigerian himself had run the Lokomotiv defence ragged right to the death when he won the spot kick himself, but another 0-0 draw at least maintained their unbeaten start to the season. No new injuries meant that the talisman was joined by his compatriot Kehinde Fatai, who will harbour hopes of starting in the return leg in Slovenia.

Club director Shamil Gazizov announced last week that work would begin on a new 15,000-capacity stadium in Ufa. The wide open Soviet-era bowl that is the Neftyanik is an uncompromising, unwelcoming venue for teams and fans alike. Coupled with a progressive European run, it could spearhead a new drive of investment that is sorely needed to make that final push to a regular seat at the top table.

Gazizov this week refused to play down talk of Dmitri Zhovolgyadov leaving the club. “What is the probability that [he] will leave Ufa? There is always a chance, but we haven’t received proposals that suit us yet.” With a strong performance against Domzale and further European appearances, these rumours may become a reality sooner rather than later.

NK Domzale vs Ufa – Players To Watch

Senijad Ibričić #17 – NK Domžale

The vast majority of Domzale’s attacking play flows through the Bosnian’s feet, and they will need his spark if they are to avoid relying on extra time and penalties. Only three years younger than his manager, he is also the calm head that Domzalel ook to when ideas are running thin. His confidence is sublime – a panenka penalty last season in Slovenia is testament to that – and could be the key factor that Ufa need to shut down in order to keep their hosts quiet.

Senijad Ibričić (r.) is Domzale's player to watch (BORUT ZIVULOVIC/AFP/Getty Images)

Senijad Ibričić (r.) is Domzale’s player to watch (BORUT ZIVULOVIC/AFP/Getty Images)

Kehinde Fatai #17 – Ufa

Fatai has struggled to get a lot of game time for Ufa in recent months of competitive action. When he joined from Sparta Prague two years ago he came with a lot of expectation, and this type of game is exactly where he can show his worth; while Igboun may create havoc out wide, he needs a focal point centrally that his countryman can offer. Tall, with reasonable pace and an eye for goal, Fatai has 30 appearances at European level under his belt already. To make it 31 or more, he will need to show up big time.

Aleksandr Golovin (R) of PFC CSKA Moscow is challenged by Kehinde Fatai of FC Ufa during the Russian Premier League match between PFC CSKA Moscow and FC Ufa at CSKA Arena Stadium on October 14, 2016 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)

Aleksandr Golovin (R) of PFC CSKA Moscow is challenged by Kehinde Fatai of FC Ufa during the Russian Premier League match between PFC CSKA Moscow and FC Ufa at CSKA Arena Stadium on October 14, 2016 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images)

NK Domzale vs Ufa – Match Stats

  • While this is Ufa’s first European campaign, Domzaleare relative veterans with 10 campaigns under their belts already
  • Domzalehave only lost three times in their last 17 Europa League matches
  • Ufa haven’t conceded in their last five competitive matches
  • Although Domžale’s Senijad Ibričić used to play in Russia, the club have never faced Russian opposition before in their 98-year history
  • Ufa have lost just once in their last 12 home league matches
  • Both sides are unbeaten this season

Futbolgrad Network Prediction: NK Domzale vs Ufa – 1-1

NK Domzale vs Ufa – Possible Lineups

NK Domžale

Formation: 4-3-3

Milić – Širok, Dobrovoljk, Klemenčič, Melnjak – Žužek, Husmani, Gnezda Čerin – Ibričić, Bizjak, Ibraimi

Manager: Simon Rožman

Ufa

Formation: 5-3-2

Belenov – Zhivoglyadov, Alikin, Tumasyan, Nedelcearu, Jokic – Salatic, Paurevic, Oblyakov – Igboun, Fatai

Manager: Sergey Tomarov

Andrew Flint is an English freelance football writer living in Tyumen, Western Siberia, with his wife and two daughters. He has featured on These Football Times, Russian Football News, Four Four Two and Sovetski Sport, mostly focusing on full-length articles about derbies, youth development and the game in Russia. Due to his love for FC Tyumen, he is particularly interested in lower league Russian football, and is looking to establish himself in time for the 2018 World Cup. Follow Andrew on Twitter @AndrewMijFlint.

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