BATE Borisov Held to Goalless Draw by KS Elbasani in UEFA Europa Conference League Qualifier

Belarusian giants BATE Borisov were frustrated on home turf as Albanian side KS Elbasani secured a 0‑0 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying tie on 17 July 2026. Played at the Borisov Arena, the match was a cagey affair with few clear‑cut chances, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of the return leg in Albania.

Match Overview

BATE, historically dominant in Belarusian football, entered the match as favorites, but they found a well‑organized Elbasani side difficult to break down. The visitors, competing in European competition for the first time in several years, defended resolutely and occasionally threatened on the counter. The lack of goals means everything is still to play for in the second leg.

Key Moments

• 22nd minute: BATE’s best chance came when Stanislaw Drahun’s header from a corner was cleared off the line by an Elbasani defender.
• 44th minute: Elbasani’s attacking midfielder Redon Xhixha fired over the bar from 20 yards after a rare foray forward.
• 67th minute: BATE winger Nemanja Milić saw his curling effort tipped wide by Elbasani goalkeeper Aldi Çollaku.
• 85th minute: A goalmouth scramble in the BATE box almost produced an away goal, but the hosts’ defence scrambled the ball clear.

Tactical Story

BATE lined up in a 4‑2‑3‑1, aiming to control possession and use width to stretch the Elbasani defence. However, the Albanian team sat deep in a compact 5‑4‑1 block, crowding the central areas and forcing BATE into speculative shots. The home side’s full‑backs pushed forward, but final‑ball quality was lacking. Elbasani, meanwhile, looked to release pacey wingers on the break, but a lack of support in the box limited their threat. The match became a midfield battle, with both sides wary of conceding a crucial away goal.

Standout Players

• Aldi Çollaku (Elbasani): The goalkeeper was barely tested but commanded his area well on crosses and made one vital save.
• Stanislaw Drahun (BATE): The veteran midfielder worked tirelessly, winning headers and recycling possession, but lacked incision in the final third.
• Redon Xhixha (Elbasani): The most dangerous player for the visitors, he carried the ball well and almost scored with a powerful strike.

Season Impact

The goalless draw means BATE will need to score in the second leg in Elbasan on 24 July to progress. With no away goals rule in place, a win of any margin for either side would settle the tie. For Elbasani, the clean sheet is a massive confidence boost, and they will believe they can advance with a disciplined performance at home.