Levski Sofia Hosts Borac Banja Luka in Decisive Champions League Qualifier

The UEFA Champions League first qualifying round tie between Levski Sofia and Borac Banja LukaTeam·Borac Banja Luka reaches its decisive moment on July 14, 2026, as the two sides meet for the second leg at Levski's Vivacom Arena - Georgi Asparuhov in Sofia. The tie remains finely balanced following a 1-1 draw in the first leg, played on July 7, 2026, in Banja Luka.

Levski Sofia's Armstrong Oko-Flex secured the crucial away equalizer in the first leg, responding to Luka JuričićPlayer·Luka Juričić's opener for Borac Banja LukaTeam·Borac Banja Luka. This result sets the stage for a tense return fixture, with the winner advancing in the prestigious European competition.

Levski Sofia enters this qualifier as the reigning Bulgarian First League champions, a significant achievement that saw them claim their first title since the 2008-09 season. Their domestic triumph in the 2025-26 campaign ended Ludogorets RazgradTeam·Ludogorets Razgrad's remarkable streak of 14 consecutive league titles. Domestically, Levski finished with 25 wins, six draws, and five defeats from 36 league matches, scoring 71 goals. Their recent form includes the 1-1 draw in the first leg, and they have lost just one of their last 16 home matches, underscoring their strength on home turf.

Borac Banja LukaTeam·Borac Banja Luka also enjoyed a dominant 2025-26 domestic season, securing their fourth Bosnian Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League title with a 1-0 victory against SarajevoTeam·Sarajevo on May 3, 2026, with four matches remaining. They concluded their league campaign with 27 wins, five draws, and four defeats from 36 matches, boasting an impressive defensive record of conceding an average of just 0.8 goals per game. Borac arrives in Sofia on an impressive 19-match unbeaten streak in competitive fixtures and has kept five consecutive clean sheets heading into this tie. Luka JuričićPlayer·Luka Juričić, who scored in the first leg, was Borac's top scorer with 27 goals across all competitions in 2025-26.

Both teams are expected to field strong lineups, with Levski Sofia likely to reward Armstrong Oko-Flex with a starting position after his impact in the first leg. Borac Banja LukaTeam·Borac Banja Luka's coach Vinko Marinovic may opt for an unchanged team, with Juričić leading the attack and a midfield trio of Sandi Ogrinec, Matej DeketPlayer·Matej Deket, and Milos Jojic providing stability. Both sides are anticipated to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, suggesting an open contest. Borac Banja LukaTeam·Borac Banja Luka also benefits from a completely healthy squad available for selection.

The first leg marked the inaugural competitive meeting between these two clubs. With the tie evenly poised, the home advantage for Levski Sofia is considered significant. The Bulgarian champions are widely expected to leverage their home support and secure the victory needed to progress in the Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League qualifying rounds.