Martínez ahead of home opener: In Europa League with high ambitions

Carles Martínez and his coaching staff received some rather significant news regarding their next opponents on Tuesday morning: NK Celje have parted ways with their previous Portuguese head coach, Vítor Campelos, and announced that the Slovenian Zoran Zeljković, from league rivals FC Koper, would be the new man in the dugout. At the BayArena, the 46-year-old will be in charge for the first time of the Slovenian champions, who currently sit seventh out of ten.

Carles Martínez, when asked: “We have, of course, analysed them thoroughly over the past few days and weeks – just as we do with every opponent. They only just missed out on Champions League qualification (knocked out by Slovan Bratislava after extra time, ed.). As always, we have great respect for our opponents. However, we naturally don’t know exactly what to expect under their new coach – whether they’ll sit deep or play high up the pitch, look to keep possession, or play with a back four or a back five. But in any case, we’re primarily focusing on ourselves.”

Garcia: "really up for this competition."

Midfielder Aleix Garcia is really looking forward to the new competition – with the Spaniard set to make his UEL debut if he features. Garcia said: “We’re really up for this competition, which the club and we as a team want to win. That has to be our goal. And this journey – which we hope will be a long one – begins tomorrow.”

Martínez agreed: “We have high ambitions. To go far and be successful, we need to get off to a good start tomorrow and win. But it’s not just about the win; it’s also about how we go about it.”

question mark over Maza – Flekken in goal

Ibrahim Maza is doubtful for tomorrow night’s game. Martínez explained that the Algerian playmaker missed the final training session this morning due to a cold: “We’ll see how he’s feeling later on and then as the day goes on tomorrow.”

It is already certain that Mark Flekken will be in goal. Martínez said: “Mark is a true role model, an exemplary professional. He leads by example. Together with the others, he forms a superb goalkeeping team.”

Garcia on targets for Celje clash

According to Garcia, to get off to a successful start in the new Europa League campaign, what is needed above all is “full concentration throughout the entire match – that is the most important thing. Of course, on paper we’re the favourites, but we’ve got to live up to that role on the pitch tomorrow. And I’m feeling optimistic about that, because we’ve got a brilliant team.”

Garcia and his team-mates will take to the pitch for the first time in their striking European Cup kit, cheered on by 27,000 fans. Around 50 Celje fans are expected to travel.

40 % discount: Tickets on open sale

Tickets are still available to the general public for the opening UEL fixture. Non-members have access to all sections except the North Stand.

Use the discount code ACROSSEUROPE2627 to get 40 per cent off the price of seated tickets in blocks A and B – excluding tickets from the ticket exchange (tickets).

In addition, the standing area SG1–SG3 is also part of the home section for this match. For this section, the prices for standing tickets are reduced to €10 (full price), €8 (concession) and €5 (youth) when using the discount code ALLEFUERB04 – excluding tickets from the ticket exchange (tickets).