2026-2027 Champions League: Slovan Bratislava vs. Iberia 1999, Probable Lineups
Now a regular contender in European competitions, Slovan Bratislava aims to continue its run, which, if successful, would mark its second appearance in the Champions League group stage in the last three years: standing in its way is Iberia 1999, an opponent it already defeated 2-0 in the first leg. The second-round preliminary leg, scheduled to take place in Bratislava, thus sees the home team as the clear favorite.
Slovan is now a well-established force in European soccer, thanks in part to an impressive domestic record: they have won eight consecutive league titles between 2019 and 2026, although during this run they have qualified for the Champions League group stage only once, in the 2024–2025 season. On that occasion, the Slovak team finished 35th out of 36, failing to earn a single point against Celtic, Manchester City, Girona, Dinamo Zagreb, Milan, Atlético Madrid, Stuttgart, and Bayern.
Iberia 1999, known as Saburtalo until 2024, is one of the rising stars of former Soviet-era soccer. Its first season in Georgia’s top division was in 2015–2016, while its first title came in 2018 and was repeated in 2024 and 2025. Behind the club stands the financial backing of Tariel Khechikashvili, owner of the Iberia Business Group (hence the club’s new name) and later Minister of Sports and Youth Policy of the Republic of Georgia.
Probable Lineups
SLOVAN BRATISLAVA (3-5-2): Takac; Sandro Cruz, Bajric, Wimmer; Medvedev, Pokorny, Mustafic, Ibrahim, Maros; Yirajang, Sporar. Head Coach: Yaya Touré.
IBERIA 1999 (4-3-3): Makaridze; Jinjolava, Amisulashvili, Kobuladze, Dadiani; Kutsia, Lucas Café, Sikharulashvili; Dzagania, Ende, Natchkebia. Head Coach: Demchenko.
