[2026-27 UEFA Europa League] NK Celje vs Salzburg: Match Preview Kick-off: October 22, 19:00 UTC
NK Celje host Salzburg at Stadion Z’dežele in Slovenia on October 23 at 04:00 Korea time for Matchday 3 of the UEFA Europa League league phase. Celje need their first points after losing both of their opening games without scoring. Salzburg travel looking for three points after a heavy defeat to AC Milan.
1. Match overview and team form
Slovenian champions NK Celje are making their first appearance in the Europa League league phase. They came through Champions League qualifying against Egnatia and Ararat-Armenia, then drew both legs 1-1 with Slovan Bratislava. Their Europa League campaign has started with a 2-0 defeat away to Bayer 04 Leverkusen and a 3-0 home loss to Omonia. They sit 35th of 36 teams. Salzburg beat Levski Sofia 1-0 away, then lost 4-0 at home to AC Milan, leaving them 21st on three points.
NK Celje’s recent changes began with Zoran Zeljkovic’s appointment in mid-September. In three league matches under him, they have scored once and conceded none. They also held leaders Maribor to a goalless draw away. However, they have failed to score in four of their five competitive matches since his arrival, and have conceded five goals in their two Europa League games. The level of opposition in Europe has also risen, so the lack of goals cannot be explained by the managerial change alone. Still, their attack has clearly slowed, with just one goal in three league games.
Salzburg are second in the Austrian league, unbeaten under Danny Rohl with six wins and three draws from nine matches. Their last 10 competitive games have brought seven wins, two draws and one defeat. That loss came against AC Milan. Salzburg struggled to deal with attacks down the flanks and also conceded after losing the ball in front of their own penalty area. On October 18, they beat Altach 3-0, but Rohl said that after the opener his side made poor decisions in attack when Altach closed down the space and also allowed counterattacks. That could matter again if Celje sit in and protect the middle.
Key points to watch Europa League after two matches: NK Celje 0 goals scored, 5 conceded / Salzburg 1 scored, 4 conceded Recent league form: NK Celje have scored 1 and conceded 0 in 3 matches under Zeljkovic / Salzburg are unbeaten after 9 league games, with 6 wins and 3 draws Attacking selection questions: whether Kvesić starts for NK Celje / Baidoo misses Salzburg’s away trip, Konaté returns
The key selection call for Celje is Mario Kvesić. He started all six of their Champions League qualifying matches this season, scoring four goals and setting up one, but has not started either Europa League game. He missed the Leverkusen match through injury and played 45 minutes as a substitute against Omonia. Several predicted Salzburg line-ups include him, but his involvement will not be clear until the teams are announced. Benjamin Verbič, who threatened Leverkusen with dribbles and crosses from the left, is also expected to start.
Salzburg will be without first-choice right-back Nicolas Veratschnig, who is out with a knee injury. He has two goals and one assist in seven league matches, so his absence leaves a gap in attack as well as defence on the right. Leandro Morgalla is the likely replacement, but he has had little playing time and struggled to defend the flank against AC Milan. Edmund Baidoo, who makes runs in behind from the second line, has also not travelled. Sota Kitano, Damir Rezić and Gaoussou Diakite could fill that role. Karim Konaté has returned to the travelling squad after missing two games through illness and will compete with Haris Tabaković for the central striker spot.
The teams have never met in a competitive match. Both played league games on October 18, so they have had the same rest. Salzburg face third-placed LASK away on October 26, but after the Milan defeat Rohl changed only one player in the starting line-up against Altach. Celje’s team sheet will also show how they are balancing this match with domestic competition. Kvesić did not start against Omonia, so we cannot assume his return to the starting XI.
2. Match-up analysis
We expect Salzburg to have more of the ball, with Celje protecting the middle and changing their pressing positions. Rohl has said that Celje vary their pressing in different phases and try to block the centre. Against Leverkusen, Celje played passes out from the back and took advantage of a mistake in the opposition build-up, with Dušan Đukić carrying the ball to the edge of the box before shooting. Salzburg may see more possession, but that does not mean they will be able to start every attack comfortably from the back.
Salzburg’s central midfield is the area Celje are likely to target. Abubakar Barry drops between the centre-backs to receive the ball, while Bartosz Mazurek helps move play forward. Mazurek’s loss of possession in front of his own penalty area against Milan led to a goal. If Celje win the ball there, they can get into a shooting position without needing to build a long attack. If Kvesić starts, the player who led the scoring in qualifying can help finish those moves. If Salzburg play through the press, they can move the ball behind Celje’s central players.
When Salzburg cannot progress through the middle, Jesper Lindstrøm’s crosses and set pieces offer another route. Against Altach, Lindstrøm delivered from the right to the far post for Tabaković to score, then added a goal himself from a direct free kick. Both goals Celje conceded against Leverkusen came from corners. We cannot assume those same situations will play out again, but Salzburg have a clear reason to send the ball into the box, and Celje have a clear threat to defend against.
Celje can also test Salzburg out wide. Rohl has said Celje have a fast player on the right who likes to take defenders on one-on-one. Salzburg left-back Dominik Schmid struggled to contain Omari Hutchinson against Milan. If Schmid pushes forward and Celje can play the ball into the space behind him, Salzburg will have to defend the flank in transition. Hutchinson’s success does not guarantee Celje’s winger will find the same openings, and if Schmid holds his position, there will be less space to attack.
On the other side, Verbič against Morgalla is a match-up to watch. Verbič dribbled past two defenders and got a shot away against Leverkusen, and also created a headed chance with a cross from the left. Morgalla is likely to fill in for Veratschnig, but he has not had enough minutes to show the same attacking contribution from right-back. If Verbič keeps him busy defensively, Salzburg may rely more on Lindstrøm’s passing and crossing than on their right-back getting forward.
If the game remains close into the second half, the substitutes could make the difference. Rohl has recently changed his attack around the 60-minute mark. He could bring on either Tabaković or Konaté, depending on who starts. Celje can also change their centre-forward, but of the likely starters on the bench, Armandas Kučys is the only one with a European goal this season. The longer the score stays at 0-0 or within one goal, the more it matters that Salzburg can bring on a fresh striker to keep contesting balls in the box.
The timing of the first goal could shape the same tactical battle in different ways. Salzburg won 1-0 away to both Levski Sofia and Mjällby this season. Against Levski, they dropped deeper in phases after taking the lead and did not add a second goal. Celje, meanwhile, have recently gone behind in European home games, pushed more players forward and conceded again. If Salzburg score early, Celje’s forward push could create chances for another goal. If the first goal comes late, Salzburg’s away record of managing a lead will meet Celje’s recent clean sheets, making a narrow finish more likely.
3. Verdict and conclusion
We expect Salzburg to win. Even if Celje block the central route, Salzburg can still put the ball into the penalty area through Lindstrøm’s crosses and set pieces. That is a direct problem for a Celje side that conceded twice from corners against Leverkusen. If the match remains tight into the second half, Salzburg’s depth also gives them the option of bringing on Tabaković or Konaté.
The main difference between our view and the market is the expected margin, rather than the likely winner. The market has leaned towards a comfortable Salzburg win, citing Celje’s run without a goal and Salzburg’s unbeaten league record. But Salzburg have protected a 1-0 lead away from home by dropping deeper, and their defensive line-up could be different this time. If Kvesić starts, Celje’s Europa League goal drought will also have come with a different attacking set-up from the one they use today.
Our score prediction is 1-2 or 0-2 to Salzburg. We expect Salzburg to take the lead through a Lindstrøm cross or set piece, then find a second goal after bringing on a forward in the second half. If Kvesić starts, Celje could win the ball in midfield or use their aerial threat up front to pull one back, making 1-2 more likely. If he is left out again, Celje will have fewer ways to respond, and 0-2 becomes more likely. This forecast depends heavily on Salzburg creating chances from set pieces. If Lindstrøm does not start or Žan Luka Leban deals with those chances, Salzburg could fail to score or Celje could find a way back into the game.
