Celje Takes Advantage in UEFA Champions League Qualifier Against Ararat-Armenia

Celje 2-0 Ararat-Armenia at Arena Z’dezele ended with the Slovenians taking a clear first-leg advantage in this UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round tie. Two late goals from substitutes Yaya Dukuly and Benjamin Verbič rewarded Celje’s territorial pressure and bench impact, while leaving Ararat-Armenia with a deficit to overturn at home. With no league standings data attached to this fixture, the significance here is purely continental: Celje move to the brink of the play-off round, Ararat-Armenia now needing a more expansive approach in the return leg.

Match Report

The game opened with Ararat-Armenia showing early aggression in midfield. That edge spilled over on 19', when Alwyn Tera (Ararat-Armenia) received a yellow card (Foul) for a late challenge, and in the same minute Hugo Oliveira (Ararat-Armenia) was also booked with a yellow card (Unsportsmanlike conduct) after protesting the decision.

Celje gradually settled and began to work the flanks, but their own discipline wavered on 32' as Leonardo Koutris (Celje) was shown a yellow card (Tripping) for halting a counter down the left.

At half-time the game remained goalless, and Celje acted first after the interval. On 46', Benjamin Verbič replaced Leonardo Koutris (Celje), a proactive attacking substitution that shifted Celje’s shape higher up the pitch.

Ararat-Armenia responded with a midfield adjustment on 55', when Benny replaced Alwyn Tera (Ararat-Armenia), looking for more control and ball progression from the centre.

The contest grew more fragmented as Celje tightened their press. On 64', Artemijus Tutyškinas (Celje) was booked with a yellow card (Tripping) after stepping out of the defensive line to stop a break. Two minutes later, on 66', Milot Avdyli (Celje) collected another yellow card (Holding) for dragging back his opponent in transition.

Celje then turned to their bench again to inject pace. On 69', Yaya Dukuly replaced Pijus Širvys (Celje), adding a more direct runner on the right, and in the same minute Matej Poplatnik replaced Armandas Kučys (Celje), providing a more penalty-box-focused forward presence.

Ararat-Armenia made a double change on 73' to freshen legs and regain territory: Maxence Carlier replaced Hugo Oliveira (Ararat-Armenia) in the back line, while Carlos França replaced Artur Serobyan (Ararat-Armenia) in midfield, aiming to improve build-up and progression.

Celje’s aggression without the ball continued to draw cards. On 78', Mark Zabukovnik (Celje) received a yellow card (Foul) for a robust challenge in midfield.

The breakthrough finally came on 83' as Celje’s substitutions combined decisively. 83' Celje goal — Yaya Dukuly (assisted by Milot Avdyli). Dukuly arrived from the right to finish after Avdyli’s incisive involvement in the build-up, rewarding Celje’s sustained pressure and the earlier change on the flank.

Ararat-Armenia’s frustration grew almost immediately. On 84', Zidane Banjaqui (Ararat-Armenia) was shown a yellow card (Foul) after a late tackle as they tried to press for an equaliser.

Celje capitalised ruthlessly on the momentum swing. 85' Celje goal — Benjamin Verbič (unassisted). The substitute, introduced at half-time, drove into space and finished without the need for a creator, doubling the lead and effectively deciding the tie’s first leg.

Verbič’s intensity then tipped over a minute later. On 86', Benjamin Verbič (Celje) received a yellow card (Unsportsmanlike conduct) after an altercation following a challenge, underlining the game’s increasingly heated tone.

Ararat-Armenia turned again to the bench in search of late impetus. On 89', Alioune Ndour replaced Zidane Banjaqui (Ararat-Armenia), adding fresh attacking legs. On 90', Juan A. Balanta replaced Karen Muradyan (Ararat-Armenia), another offensive-minded tweak to push numbers forward in the closing stages.

Celje’s final change came in stoppage time to lock down the result. On 90+1', Ivan Čalušić replaced Svit Sešlar (Celje), adding defensive security and helping see out a controlled 2-0 home win.

Fixture Statistics & Tactical Audit

xG: not available for either side
Possession: Celje 50% vs 50% Ararat-Armenia
Shots on Target: Celje 8 vs 3 Ararat-Armenia
Goalkeeper Saves: not available for either side
Blocked Shots: Celje 7 vs 4 Ararat-Armenia

The statistical profile underlines Celje’s superiority in chance creation despite level possession. With 8 shots on target to Ararat-Armenia’s 3, and a 7–4 edge in blocked efforts, Celje consistently forced the issue in the final third, particularly after the interval. The even 50–50 share of the ball suggests this was not a territorially dominant display, but rather one where Celje used their possession more aggressively and efficiently, especially through wide rotations and the impact of substitutes. Ararat-Armenia, by contrast, struggled to convert their share of the ball and 9 corners into genuine pressure on the Celje goal, indicating a lack of penetration and final-third cohesion.

Standings Update & Seasonal Impact

With no league standings data provided for either Celje or Ararat-Armenia, the immediate impact is confined to the UEFA Champions League pathway. Celje’s 2-0 victory gives them a strong platform in this 3rd Qualifying Round tie, placing them in a favourable position to reach the play-off round. Ararat-Armenia now face a two-goal deficit in the return leg, needing a more expansive, risk-taking performance to keep their Champions League campaign alive.

Lineups & Personnel

Celje Starting XI

GK: Žan-Luk Leban
DF: Pijus Širvys, Artemijus Tutyškinas, Leonardo Koutris
MF: Darko Hrka, Mario Kvesić, Mark Zabukovnik, Svit Sešlar, Matic Ivanšek, Milot Avdyli
FW: Armandas Kučys

Ararat-Armenia Starting XI

GK: João Bravim
DF: Junior Julio, Bruno Wilson, Alexandros Malis, Edgar Grigoryan, Hugo Oliveira
MF: Karen Muradyan, Alwyn Tera, Artur Serobyan, Zidane Banjaqui
FW: Sandro Lima

Post-Match Verdict

Celje delivered a clinical attacking display (8 shots on target from a 50% share of possession), built on smart in-game adjustments and high-impact substitutions. The introductions of Yaya Dukuly and Benjamin Verbič decisively tilted the contest, directly producing both goals and adding verticality and unpredictability to Celje’s right side. Defensively, while Celje conceded 3 shots on target and 9 corners, their structure limited Ararat-Armenia largely to half-chances, as reflected in the visitors’ modest on-target output.

Ararat-Armenia, meanwhile, were offensively blunt (only 3 shots on target despite equal possession and 9 corners), suggesting a disconnect between build-up and final-third execution. Their early bookings for Tera and Oliveira pointed to a reactive rather than controlled approach, and later attacking substitutions could not unsettle a well-organised Celje back line. Overall, the 2-0 scoreline accurately reflects a match where Celje used their resources and moments far better, leaving Ararat-Armenia with significant tactical and psychological ground to make up in the second leg.