Champions League qualifying play-off round: Match previews, what to look out for

The final four places in the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League will be decided in Wednesday's play-off second legs.

We pick out the key storylines and stats.

Lyon vs Fenerbahçe (agg: 1-1)

Lyon took the lead through Loïs Openda but ultimately settled for a draw in Istanbul, where there was little to split the two sides. "Qualification will go down to the wire," says coach Paulo Fonseca as the focus shifts to France. "We know we'll be facing a great team – the natural favourites – but we'll be playing the return leg at home and we can build up an atmosphere."

The first leg was a "disappointing result" for new Fenerbahçe signing Romelu Lukaku, yet his coach İsmail Kartal saw more positives. "My players performed with an understanding of how the game should be played in the Champions League," he said, adding: "We want to play well [in France], win the match, qualify for the Champions League and make our fans happy."

Did you know? Lyon won by two goals in both of their previous UEFA home games against Fenerbahçe, both in the Champions League group stage: 3-1 in 2001 and 4-2 in 2004.

Viking vs GNK Dinamo (agg: 2-2)

Having conceded twice inside ten minutes in the first leg, Viking rallied in Zagreb to simplify their task for the return game in Norway. "We didn't lose, we played well and gained new experience," said co-coach Morten Jensen. "We are playing at home for a place in the Champions League," added captain Zlatko Tripić. "This is a historic opportunity."

GNK Dinamo boss Mario Kovačević was disappointed with how the first leg panned out but saw plenty to give him hope ahead of the trip to Stavanger. "We scored two goals, hit the crossbar, had plenty of chances," he said. "We outplayed them and should have won. We have a new match ahead of us and I believe we can be at least as good as [in the first leg] and convert some chances."

Did you know? GNK Dinamo won both their two previous Champions League play-offs against Norwegian sides, but only after winning their home fixtures in those ties against Rosenborg (2019/20) and Bodø/Glimt (2022/23).

Celje vs Slovan Bratislava (agg: 1-1)

Another tie that's all square ahead of the return – Slovan Bratislava seeing their sleek opener responded to by a superb Milot Avdyli curler at Národný futbalový štadión. A first qualification for the Champions League proper is in Celje's sights and coach Vítor Campelos is demanding bravery from his players in the face of that challenge. "The players started to feel more free," he said of the improvement across the first leg.

Slovan goalscorer Roman Čerepkai was left with a bittersweet taste at full time, the striker pleased with his goal but disappointed not to have secured "a better result today and gone into the second leg with a lead." Team-mate Peter Pokorný is confident they can make amends, though. "We're going to Celje to win," the midfielder said simply.

Did you know? Slovan Bratislava coach Yaya Touré made 70 Champions League appearances during his playing days, the seventh-most of any African player and second among Côte d'Ivoire internationals.

AEK Athens vs Levski Sofia (agg: 0-0) 

AEK coach Marko Nikolić lamented after the first leg that his team will not go into this decider with a comfortable advantage, Luka Jović having twice gone close in a goalless contest in Bulgaria. However, the Serbian coach remains optimistic. "We essentially missed the final touch," he said. "The second leg will decide qualification. It was not a bad performance, but I am not completely happy."

Levski boss Julio Velázquez is preparing his side for an intense atmosphere in the return game. "We are aware of where we are going to play and what awaits us," the Spanish coach explained. "We will try to play in a way that will allow us to progress, to show character and identity. We got this far because we deserve it. Every day, my boys show how proud they are of this team."

Did you know? AEK beat Litex Lovech 3-2 in 2001 in their only previous home game against Bulgarian opponents. As for Levski, they have yet to win in three UEFA club competition matches in Greece (D1 L2).