In our preview we look at the BATE Borisov vs Dundalk Champions League qualifier. BATE Borisov are about to embark on their latest Champions League campaign, as the 12 time Belarusian champion wants to reach the Champions League group stage for an eighth time. Indeed, consistent participation in the Champions League group stage has made BATE the richest and most successful club in Belarus (read their full story here).
Furthermore, BATE were propelled to fame in Europe when they produced upsets in 2013 when they beat eventual champions Bayern Munich in Minsk 3-1, and in the fall of 2015 when they beat AS Roma 3-2 at their brand new Borisov Arena—they also managed to capture a point in Rome.
Last season, with five points out of six group stage matches, BATE narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Europa League playoffs. BATE’s rather strong performance in the group stage meant that several players were targeted by clubs from Western Europe.
Following the group stage, and the Belarusian League season, which runs from the spring to the fall, several key players left the club including left-back Filip Mladenović, who joined 1. FC Köln, Nemanja Nikolić, who moved to Hapoel Tel-Aviv, and Alexander Hleb, who left for the Turkish club Gençlerbirliği
But BATE was able to sign several new players last winter, who more than replaced the departing players. Furthermore, Belarus’ superstar Hleb has once again returned to his hometown club, as he wants to get one last run at the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Also, BATE was able to sign the highly talented Serbian playmaker Mirko Ivanić from Vojvodina Novi Sad for around €1 million. Ivanić has scored four goals in 13 league matches for the club in the Vysheyshaya Liga this season.
Belarus are currently first in the table and, at this time, are eight points ahead of second placed Shakhtyor Soligorsk, and are poised to win their eleventh championship in a row.
Hence, BATE will now focus on reaching the final round of the UEFA Champions League qualification stage. For BATE, who are usually the extreme outsiders in Europe, the match against the Irish semi-professionals from Dundalk FC will be an unusual situation, as the Belarusians will be clear favourites to win the match.
BATE Borisov have an overall transfer value of €18.6 million, as opposed to the €900,000 overall value of the Irish club. Yet the two clubs have a history, as BATE and Dundalk played each other at the second qualification round of the UEFA Champions League in 2015.
For the Irish club the result of last season’s encounter might actually be encouraging, as Dundalk lost the match 2-1 on aggregate (2-1, and 0-0), and came relatively close to reaching the next round. Yet, while the result might bring hope to the Dundalk supporters, BATE Borisov vs Dundalk should be a sure thing for the Belarusian giants.
COMMENTS