Champions League Second Qualifying Round Preview

The second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League is here in what is one of the most important stages of the summer. For the second round in a row, 28 sides are involved - half of which had to get past the first qualifying round over the last two weeks. Not only is a spot in the penultimate round of qualification on the line, but guaranteed league phase football come September is up for grabs.

This is also the first round where the non-champions path (league path) comes into the picture, where four clubs take to the field. The 14 losing teams in this round, regardless of path, will enter the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round.

Here is a look at the UCL second qualifying round ties.

Regulars Begin Their Journey

While there are some new/unexpected names in the Champions League this term, we also get to see some familiar names. Perhaps the biggest one of the lot are 1990/91 European Cup champions Crvena zvezda, who will be overwhelming favourites in their tie against Larne. The Serbian giants have won all four previous games versus Northern Irish opposition, scoring 20 times.

Croatia's Dinamo Zagreb, who have played the most matches in UCL qualifying, will also be expected to make the league phase. Standing in their way this round are Swiss champions Thun, who reached the group stage in their only other appearance 21 years ago.

Slovan Bratislava, the only other team in this second qualifying round to win a major European trophy, will be up against Iberia 1999. The Slovak outfit needed extra time to beat Dinamo Batumi three summers ago, and will hope to avoid having the same troubles this time around.

The other well-known side making their entrance in the second qualifying round are Fenerbahçe, who headline the four non-champions. Their challenge will come in the form of Górnik Zabrze, last season's Polish Cup winners and domestic runner ups. Surprisingly, this is just the second different Polish side Fener will have faced in Europe, losing three of four matches against Ruch Chorzów.

Tie of the Round: AGF vs Lech Poznań

In what is perhaps the most balanced tie of the Champions League second qualifying round, AGF make their long-awaited return to the competition and will meet the two-time defending Polish winners Lech Poznań.

Few would have expected to see the side from Aarhus represent Denmark in the UCL this term. Yet, after claiming their sixth Danish title last season - their first in four decades - De Hvii'e have a serious chance at playing group phase football in a major European tournament for the first time in their history.

AGF have faced Polish opposition in Europe on three previous occasions, all in two-legged ties. They came out on top in two of the three ties, owning a 3-1-2 record in the process. In what was their best-ever European season before this, they got past Legia Warszawa 3-1 on aggregate in the 1960/61 European Cup before losing in the quarterfinals to eventual winners Benfica.

Lech are back in the Champions League qualifiers for the second season running after successfully defending their Ekstraklasa crown. Kolejorz picked up their 10th top flight title in the process. As such, this will be their 10th appearance in the UCL.

In their nine previous showings in the competition, Lech have never managed to progress from more than one tie in the same season. While they have enjoyed group phase football in three of their last four European forays, those have come in either the Europa League or the Conference League. This will also be their maiden clash against Danish opposition.

First-Timers Hope to Build On Momentum

There are multiple debutants in the UCL this season, all of whom will be hoping for a chance to make their mark. Mjällby are one to watch after their historic Swedish title from last calendar year. Standing in their way are Gibraltar's Lincoln Red Imps, who are aiming for a third group phase appearance in six years.

Sabah Baku had no problems in their first qualifying round tie earlier in the month, but will likely be in for a trickier task against KuPS Kuopio of Finland. In what is their fourth successive continental showing, the Azeri champions are hoping to progress from multiple ties in the same season for the very first time.

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After pulling off an impressive result in the first half of July, it will be a step up for Egnatia, who take on Celje in their tie. The Albanians are already assured of reaching the Conference League playoff round, which is the farthest they have ever gone in a European season.

As for Kauno Žalgiris, they have arguably the best opportunity of the lot. Their late heroics in Q1 sees them meet KÍ Klaksvík in what has to be seen as a glorious chance to qualify for a league phase for the very first time.

Close Ties Make for Added Intrigue

The second qualifying round always produces some rather close ties, and this season's Champions League appears to be no different. Ararat-Armenia have twice made the playoff round in Europe, but will be out to go one step further this time around when they face Conference League regulars Shamrock Rovers.

Levski Sofia, meanwhile, are up against CS Universitatea Craiova in what promises to be another fascinating tie. The Bulgarians are no strangers to UCL football, even if it has been a long time coming for their return. Both sides will have expected to reach a league phase this fall. It is a similar story for Omonoia Nicosia and Kairat Almaty, who are set for a tough clash.

Víkingur Reykjavík and Hapoel Be'er Sheva also face off, presenting a more than decent opportunity for the pair. The Israelis are striving to make it back to a league phase after failing at their last three attempts.

In the other non-champions path tie, Hearts make their return to the competition two decades on from their last appearance. Awaiting the Scottish outfit are Sturm Graz, who faced both Rangers and Celtic in the Europa League last fall, winning one match while losing the other.