Iberia 1999 vs Slovan Bratislava prediction 21.07.2026 | Champions League

Iberia 1999 won the title last year, winning back-to-back titles. Before the start of the domestic league, they are once again among the main favorites, along with Torpedo Kutaisi, Dinamo Tbilisi, and Batumi. During the offseason, they made some moves, but we would argue they got slightly worse than last season. They took a step backward, especially on the right full back position, as Armel Zohouri left to join Stade Reims. Last season, he had the second-most minutes in the competitions, and they did not add anyone to replace him, at least for now.

Last season, Iberia 1999 lost in the first round of the Champions League Qualifiers to Malmö and then lost to Levadia in the 2nd round of the Conference League Qualifiers. They generally had very little success in the European Qualifiers and are yet to secure a main phase of any European Qualifiers. 

Slovan Bratislava had another dominant season in Slovakia, winning the title and leaving the second-placed Dunajka Streda 10 points behind. That is their 25th title in club history and eighth consecutive one! 

During the offseason, they made some important moves after their coach, Vladimir Weiss (senior), left to become the Slovak national team coach. As a new head coach, they appointed Ivory Coast legend, Yaya Toure. The 43-year-old was only an assistant manager thus far in his managerial career in clubs such as Olympic Donetsk, Akhmat Grozny, Tottenham Youth, Standard Liege, and Saudi Arabia NT. 

In terms of transfers, the club decided to move on some experienced players who had been an important part of the rotation: Robert Mak (35), Guram Kashia (38), and Vladimir Weiss (36). Meanwhile, they added goalkeeper Aleksandar Popovic and left full/wing-back, Samuel Kozlovsky. However, they will most likely not be in the starting lineup, at least at the start of the season.

Winger Nino Marcelli should miss the game with an injury, while César Blackman is questionable as he was with the Panama national team at the World Cup and might get some extra time to rest.