Previously affiliated Klopp aide transitions into esteemed circles
So far, 29 teams have secured their spot in the Champions League. The remaining seven spots will be determined during the playoffs. Lijnders, formerly Klopp's assistant, could make significant strides in the first leg. Galatasaray also stands a chance, thanks to a previous Dortmund player.
In the playoff opener, Lijnders and his RB Salzburg squad clinched a 2-0 victory over Dynamo Kyiv (1-0), putting them in a powerful position for the subsequent leg. Goals from Nene (29') and a penalty by Kjaergaard (49') sealed the deal for Salzburg, who aim for their sixth consecutive appearance in the Champions League. Lijnders had collaborated with Klopp at Liverpool from 2015 to 2024, with a six-month break in 2018.
Young Boys Bern, the Swiss champions, emerged victorious in their home clash against Galatasaray Istanbul, winning 3-2 (2-0). Monteiro's double (3/45+4) appeared to have sealed the deal, but former Dortmund striker Batshuayi (66/72) revived hope. A converted penalty by Ugrinic (86.) ultimately secured the narrow victory.
Sparta Prague and FC Midtjylland advanced with a 2-0 (1-0) victory at Malmo FF and a 1-1 draw (0-0) with Slovan Bratislava, respectively.
With 29 teams already qualified for the new Champions League, making a total of 36 starters instead of the usual 32, the final seven participants will be determined through seven playoff matches. Dinamo Zagreb and OSC Lille have already made ground with their first-leg wins on Wednesday. The return legs will take place on August 27 and 28. Five German teams have already clinched their spots: champions Bayer Leverkusen, VfB Stuttgart, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, and Borussia Dortmund. The group stage draw will occur on August 29.
In the upcoming return legs on August 27 and 28, teams like RB Salzburg, whose coach Lijnders worked with Klopp at Liverpool, aim to secure their sixth consecutive Champions League appearance following their 2-0 first-leg victory. Despite Monteiro's double in the first leg, Galatasaray still has a chance in their playoff match against Swiss champions Young Boys Bern, hoping to qualify for the prestigious Champions League.
