Ajax Amsterdam, the unfortunate semi-finalist of the last edition, was led 1-0 at home by PAOK Thessaloniki on Tuesday, before reversing the situation and winning 3-2 and qualify as well for the play-offs. the Champions League. The Dutch club, which lost some important players this summer, was held in check in Greece 2-2 in the first leg, and experienced the worst difficulties to validate their ticket to the play-offs, where they will meet APOEL Nicosia. In front of the nearly 54,000 spectators of the Johan Cruyff Arena, Ajax was able to count on two penalties from Dusan Tadic (43rd and 85th) and a goal from Nicolas Tagliafico (79th) to overthrow the PAOK who opened the scoring in the 23rd. minute by Diego Biseswar, author of the second Greek goal in injury time.
Celtic and Porto are sinking at home
However, two other historic clubs have not passed the "cut" of this third preliminary round: Celtic Glasgow and FC Porto. Celtic, who had brought a draw of Romania (1-1) and who led 3-2, has folded in the last ten minutes against Cluj, with two goals conceded (3-4). Porto, who won 1-0 in Russia, missed their first period with Krasnodar, who led 3-0 at the break. The two goals scored by Zé Luis (57th) and Luis Diaz (76th) after the break proved insufficient for the Portuguese, the Russians qualifying for goals scored outside. A little earlier, Rosenborg, a regular in the Champions League, APOEL Nicosia and Club Brugge have also won their ticket for the play-offs.
The last six tickets for the group stage
The winners of this third round will play the roadblocks, with six qualified for the group stage of the Champions League. The draw for this group stage will take place on August 29 in Monaco. It will start on 17-18 September and will involve three French clubs, PSG, Lille and Lyon. The final is scheduled for May 30 in Istanbul.