🏆 UEFA Europa League 2025/26 - Play-Off Round – 1st Leg

🏆 UEFA Europa League 2025/26

Play-Off Round – 1st Leg Review

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1️⃣ 

The Europa League Play-Off First Leg delivered statement away wins, tactical discipline, and a few surprising scorelines that flipped expectations heading into the return fixtures.

Headline-grabbing results included:

• Lille 0–1 Crvena zvezda

• Dinamo Zagreb 1–3 Genk

• Fenerbahçe 0–3 Nottingham Forest

• Celtic 1–4 VfB Stuttgart

Several home sides now face uphill battles in the second leg, while others remain finely balanced.

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2️⃣ Full Match Results

Home	Score	Away
PAOK	1–2	Celta Vigo
Brann	0–1	Bologna
Fenerbahçe	0–3	Nottingham Forest
Dinamo Zagreb	1–3	Genk
Ludogorets Razgrad	2–1	Ferencváros
Lille	0–1	Crvena zvezda
Celtic	1–4	VfB Stuttgart
Panathinaikos	2–2	Viktoria Plzeň

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3️⃣ Underrated Tactical Battles

🔍 Lille 0–1 Crvena zvezda

Lille dominated possession but lacked vertical incision. Zvezda operated in a compact 4-5-1 mid-block, forcing wide crosses and protecting central zones efficiently.

🔍 Brann 0–1 Bologna

Bologna controlled tempo through structured build-up, limiting Brann’s pressing triggers and slowing transitions.

🔍 Panathinaikos 2–2 Viktoria Plzeň

Both sides attacked aggressively, leaving transitional vulnerabilities. Plzeň’s direct play repeatedly targeted the space behind Panathinaikos’ advanced fullbacks.

🔍 Ludogorets 2–1 Ferencváros

Ludogorets showed patience in possession, stretching Ferencváros horizontally before exploiting gaps centrally.

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4️⃣ Summary / Takeaways

• Stuttgart and Nottingham Forest carry commanding three-goal advantages.

• Genk’s away performance puts Dinamo Zagreb under serious pressure.

• Crvena zvezda’s away win may prove one of the most valuable results of the round.

• Several ties remain delicately balanced.

The second leg will demand tactical maturity:

Game management, emotional control, and efficiency in both boxes will decide who advances to the Round of 16.