Rakow and Flora Tallinn set for low-scoring UEFA Champions League first qualifying round fixture
Rakow Czestochowa vs Flora Tallinn - 11/07/2023
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The UEFA Champions League returns on Tuesday night with the first qualifying round first-leg fixtures.
Poland’s Rakow will meet Estonia’s Flora Tallinn in the first qualifying round, with both teams aiming for an unlikely berth in the tournament proper.
If one of these teams can reach the Champions League group stage, it will be an incredible accomplishment.
It will be a long, winding round to reach the group stage. Can either Rakow or Flora qualify to play with Europe’s big boys of football?
Rakow and Flora Tallinn have never played a competitive fixture previously. Tuesday’s match in Poland will be the first meeting between the clubs.
Rakow have not begun their domestic competition, but Flora Tallinn are in the middle of their competition. The Estonian league runs from spring to autumn.
The Champions League qualifying rounds are new to Rakow. They won the Polish Ekstraklasa last season, with 75 points from 34 games. Rakow finished nine points ahead of Legia Warsaw in the final standings.
Rakow were in Poland’s third division as recently as 2017. Their rise up the football pyramid has been rapid.
Flora have played Champions League qualifiers previously. The Tallinn club are serial winners of the Estonian Meistriliiga.
Last season, Flora Tallinn amassed an incredible 97 points from 36 games to romp to the Meistriliiga title. It was their 14th league title since 1993-94. Flora are currently in first place in the current Estonian league season.
Rakow manager David Szwarga is just 32 years old. He will have to adapt quickly to the Champions League. Summer transfers have been modest for Rakow, with just over €2 million spent on players.
A few Rakow players are in danger of missing the game through injury, including midfielder Ivi Lopez, midfielder Kamil Pestka, and defender Adrian Gryszkiewicz.
Lopez would be a major miss for Rakow. He led the team in goals last season with nine. Bart Nowak added nine goals for Rakow.
Flora Tallinn also have a young manager. Jurgen Henn is just 36 ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League first qualifying round tie. Winger Sergei Zenjov leads the team with eight goals this season.
However, Zenjov is a doubt to make the squad on Tuesday due to an ankle injury. Markus Soomets is unlikely to play following a knee injury.
Defender Ken Kallaste could return following an ankle injury. Defender Erko Tougjas has a knee injury and could miss the game. Centre-back Henrik Purg may play following an ankle problem.
Flora Tallinn are in the middle of their current Estonian league campaign. It should benefit them against Rakow. Flora should win a low-scoring contest in Poland 1-0 to take back to Tallinn.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UCL
392041
2
0 - 1
2.39
27°
12.00
1.22
6.00
12.00
no
no
no
1 - 0(0 - 0)
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