Olimpija Ljubljana — Noah : Match Preview and Prediction for August 21,2025

Slovenian Side’s Rocky Start

Analyzing the Slovenian side, Olimpija Ljubljana has faced significant turbulence entering the season. A coaching change has already occurred: Portuguese coach Jorge Simão was replaced after just seven matches by Dutch manager Erwin van de Looi. He’s had very little time, conducting only a few training sessions with the team. This limited preparation is critically insufficient for establishing effective team play, particularly in defense.

Defensive Frailties Exposed

This lack of preparation immediately became evident. Their most recent match saw them lose 1-3 at home to Koper. They held a 1-0 lead but conceded three goals in the second half. Van de Looi himself directly stated that the first two goals were due to a lack of aggression in defense. Prior to this, they suffered a devastating 0-5 defeat against Celje. Their defense is clearly in disarray and crumbling under pressure.

Key Defensive Absences

A crucial factor is that only Ahmet Muhamedbegović remains from last year’s championship-winning quintet of defenders. The core defensive unit that secured the title has simply vanished. Adding to their woes are the injury to first-choice goalkeeper Matevž Vidovšek and the potential absence of captain Agustin Doffo following a head injury. These are significant vulnerabilities that severely impact their backline.

Potent Attack Amidst Defensive Chaos

Despite their defensive woes, Olimpija’s attack is functioning effectively. In a frantic match against Egnatia in Albania, they scored four goals, albeit over 120 minutes. At home against Inter d’Escaldes from Andorra, they also netted four times. Forward Ivan Durdov has scored in his last two games, including a goal against Koper. The team consistently creates chances and pushes forward, but their defense remains extremely permeable.

Armenian Champions’ European Form

Now, let’s look at the Armenian side. Noah, the champions of their country, also began their European season in the Champions League. What’s significant is that Noah has shown a knack for scoring against strong opponents. In the Champions League qualifiers, they faced Hungarian powerhouse Ferencváros and scored in both legs: a 1-2 home defeat and an impressive 3-4 loss away. Bagging three goals away against a club of that caliber demonstrates their offensive capabilities.

Domestic Dominance and Attacking Prowess

In the Armenian championship, Noah is also performing well. They kicked off the season with two convincing victories: 4-0 against Shirak and 4-1 against Gandzasar. The team is clearly in excellent attacking form. But the most intriguing aspect is their squad composition, which includes players with intimate knowledge of Slovenian football.

Slovenian Connection: Key Players

Noah boasts three former players from Slovenian clubs! Defenders Erik Boakye and David Sualehe previously played for Olimpija themselves. Upfront, they have Nardin Mulahusejnovic, who was the top scorer in the Slovenian league with 14 goals while playing for Koper. He has already scored for Noah and possesses a deep understanding of how to exploit Slovenian defenses, especially one as disorganized as Olimpija’s currently is.