The race for a place in the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 league phase continues as…
The race for a place in the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 league phase continues as AEK Athens host Levski Sofia in the second leg of their play-off tie. After a tightly contested 0-0 draw in the first meeting in Sofia, neither side holds an advantage, leaving qualification to be decided in Athens.
With both clubs seeking a return to Europe’s premier club competition, the second leg promises another closely fought encounter where a single goal could make the difference.
AEK Athens
AEK Athens return home after earning a goalless draw in Bulgaria, where they created some of the better chances but were unable to find a breakthrough. Serbian striker Luka Jovic came closest to scoring when his first-half effort struck the crossbar, while goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha produced important saves to preserve the clean sheet.
The Greek side has extensive European experience and will look to use home advantage to secure a place in the Champions League league phase.
Levski Sofia
Levski Sofia delivered a disciplined defensive performance in the first leg and remain firmly in contention heading into the decisive match. The Bulgarian champions enjoyed periods of pressure in Sofia and forced Strakosha into several key saves, demonstrating they have the quality to challenge AEK away from home.
A positive result in Athens would mark one of the club’s biggest European achievements in recent years and secure a return to the Champions League’s main stage.
Head-to-Head
The first leg represented the first-ever competitive meeting between AEK Athens and Levski Sofia. The 0-0 draw means the clubs remain level heading into the return fixture, with no previous head-to-head advantage for either side.
Qualification on the Line
The winner of the tie will qualify for the UEFA Champions League league phase, while the losing side will continue its European campaign in the UEFA Europa League.
After an evenly balanced first leg, the second meeting is expected to be another tactical contest. With the aggregate score still goalless, both AEK Athens and Levski Sofia know that one decisive moment could be enough to book their place among Europe’s elite.