Tonight, the second leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round lights up in Kosovo, as KF Drita hosts FC Copenhagen. The Danes arrive with a comfortable 2–0 lead from the first leg played in Copenhagen on July 22. That 2–0 advantage? Courtesy of super-sub Magnus Mattsson, who converted two penalties between the 68th and 76th minutes—moments after stepping onto the pitch. Up until then, the match was locked at 0–0, but Copenhagen had clearly dominated: 65% possession, 17 shots (5 on target) versus just 8 attempts from Drita.
The return leg is brimming with tension and hope. Drita will look to conjure a comeback in front of their home supporters, inspired by the resilience they showed against Differdange (4–2 on aggregate). But the task ahead is mountainous: Jacob Neestrup’s Copenhagen side have opened their season with three wins in three matches, combining defensive discipline with attacking fluency. Coach Ramadani is expected to field a nearly unchanged XI from the first leg, relying on key players like goalkeeper Faton Maloku, midfielders Rron Broja and Albert Dabiqaj, and striker Arb Manaj. As for Copenhagen, expect tactical control: stability in midfield, rhythm management, and surgical counterattacks to put the tie beyond doubt.
Drita has never reached the UEFA Champions League group stage.
In their UCL history, Copenhagen has never lost a tie after winning the first leg by two or more goals.
Copenhagen boasts the best defence in the Danish Superliga over the last 5 matches (0.8 xGA per game).
No Kosovan team has ever made it to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
When Copenhagen are bookmaker favourites in Champions League qualifiers (15 times since 2010), their record is 10 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses.
This is the first-ever official European encounter between a Kosovan and a Danish side.
“Calculated, not guessed” - Master Algor Rithm, Seer of Spreads and Whisperer of Win Probabilities
