2024–25 NK Celje season

Celje
2024–25 season
ManagerAlbert Riera
StadiumStadion Z'dežele
Slovenian PrvaLiga4th
Slovenian Football CupWinners
UEFA Champions LeagueSecond qualifying round
UEFA Europa LeagueThird qualifying round
UEFA Conference LeagueQuarter-finals
Top goalscorerLeague:
Armandas Kučys (9)

All:
Armandas Kučys (17)

The 2024–25 season is the 106th year in the history of NK Celje and the 11th consecutive season in the top division. In addition to competing in the domestic league, Celje is also taking part in the Slovenian Football Cup and the UEFA Conference League. They were eliminated from both the Champions League and UEFA Europa League during the qualifying rounds.

Transfers

Out

Pos. Player Transferred to Fee Date Source
DF David Zec Holstein Kiel Undisclosed 1 January 2025

Friendlies

Pre-season

19 June 2024 Friendly Celje 2–2 Borac Banja Luka Zreče
18:00 UTC+2 Stadium: Zreški Stadion
25 June 2024 Friendly Celje 2–0 Corvinul Hunedoara
17:30 UTC+2
28 June 2024 Friendly Celje 2–3 Oțelul Galați Kranjska Gora
11:00 UTC+2 Stadium: Športni Park Ruteč
28 June 2024 Friendly Celje 1–0 Rapid București Kranj
17:30 UTC+2 Stadium: Športnega Centra Kranj Pomožnem Terenu

Mid-season

18 January 2025 Friendly Osijek 2–2 Celje
11:30
25 January 2025 Friendly Celje 2–0 Široki Brijeg
11:30

Competitions

Overall record

Competition First match Last match Starting round Final position Record
Pld W D L GF GA GD Win %
Slovenian PrvaLiga 21 July 2024 Matchday 1 10 5 2 3 18 14 +4 050.00
Slovenian Football Cup 25 September 2024 Round of 32 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 100.00
UEFA Champions League 10 July 2024 30 July 2024 First qualifying round Second qualifying round 4 2 1 1 8 7 +1 050.00
UEFA Europa League 8 August 2024 15 August 2024 Third qualifying round Third qualifying round 2 1 0 1 2 3 −1 050.00
UEFA Conference League 22 August 2024 17 April 2025 Play-off round Quarter-finals 14 5 3 6 29 26 +3 035.71
Total 31 14 6 11 60 50 +10 045.16

Last updated: 28 September 2024
Source: Competitions

Slovenian PrvaLiga

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
2 Maribor 36 19 10 7 64 32 +32 67 Qualification for the Conference League second qualifying round
3 Koper 36 19 9 8 60 35 +25 66 Qualification for the Conference League first qualifying round
4 Celje 36 17 10 9 76 51 +25 61 Qualification for the Europa League first qualifying round[a]
5 Bravo 36 14 13 9 52 44 +8 55
6 Primorje 36 11 10 15 41 61 −20 43
Source: PrvaLiga
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Goal difference; 6) Goals scored
Notes:

Results summary

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
20 9 4 7 35 31  +4 31 6 1 4 21 19  +2 3 3 3 14 12  +2

Last updated: 8 February 2025.
Source: soccerway

Results by round

Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223
GroundHHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAHHHAHA
ResultWWLWDLDWWLWWLLWWDDLL
Position32423565354344444455
Updated to match(es) played on 8 February 2025. Source:
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

The match schedule was released on 27 June 2024.[1]

21 July 2024 1 Celje 2–1 Bravo Celje
20:15 UTC+2 Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
3 August 2024 3 Mura 1–0 Celje Murska Sobota
20:15 UTC+2 Stadium: Fazanerija City Stadium
11 August 2024 4 Celje 4–2 Radomlje Celje
17:30 UTC+2 Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
18 August 2024 5 Olimpija Ljubljana 2–2 Celje Ljubljana
20:15 UTC+2 Stadium: Stožice Stadium
25 August 2024 6 Celje 0–3 Primorje Celje
20:15 UTC+2 Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
1 September 2024 7 Koper 0–0 Celje Koper
20:15 UTC+2 Stadium: Bonifika Stadium
15 September 2024 8 Celje 3–1 Nafta 1903 Celje
17:30 UTC+2 Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
18 September 2024 2 Celje 2–1 Maribor Celje
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
22 September 2024 9 Domžale 0–3 Celje Domžale
20:15 UTC+2 Stadium: Domžale Sports Park
28 September 2024 10 Bravo 3–2 Celje Ljubljana
17:30 UTC+2 Stadium: Stožice Stadium
6 October 2024 11 Maribor 1–2 Celje Maribor
17:30 CET
  • Krajnc 3'
  • Širvys  17'
  • Repas  25'  59'
  • Repas  54'
  • Sikošek  89'
Report
Stadium: Ljudski vrt
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Rade Obrenović
19 October 2024 12 Celje 4–3 Mura Celje
15:00 CET
Report
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Slavko Vinčić
27 October 2024 13 Radomlje 4–2 Celje Domžale
17:30 CET
Report
Stadium: Domžale Sports Park
Attendance: 350
Referee: Anže Jerič
3 November 2024 14 Celje 0–1 Olimpija Ljubljana Celje
15:00 CET
Report
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 3,625
Referee: Bojan Mertik
10 November 2024 15 Primorje 1–3 Celje Nova Gorica
20:15 CET
Report
Stadium: Nova Gorica Sports Park
Attendance: 200
Referee: Martin Matoša
23 November 2024 16 Celje 1–0 Koper Celje
15:00 CET
Report
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 1,374
Referee: Matej Jug
1 December 2024 17 Nafta 0–0 Celje Lendava
15:00 CET
  • Darko Hrka  76'
Report
Stadium: Lendava Sports Park
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: David Šmajc
7 December 2024 18 Celje 2–2 Domžale Celje
15:00 CET
Report
  • Šturm 8' 53'
  • Abraham Nwankwo  56'
  • Luka Kambič  90+1'
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 750
Referee: Žan Jazbec
1 February 2025 19 Celje 2–3 Bravo Celje
15:00 CET Report
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 1,250
Referee: Slavko Vinčić
8 February 2025 20 Celje 1–2 Maribor Celje
15:00 CET
Report
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 2,850
Referee: David Šmajc
16 February 2025 21 Mura 0–0 Celje Murska Sobota
15:00 CET Report Stadium: Fazanerija City Stadium
Attendance: 1,490
Referee: Dejan Balažič
23 February 2025 22 Celje 9–1 Radomlje Celje
17:30 CET
Report
  • Jaša Martinčič 31'  49'
  • Korun  65'
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 1,030
Referee: Žan Jazbec
2 March 2025 23 Olimpija 2–0 Celje Ljubljana
15:00 CET
Report Stadium: Stožice Stadium
Attendance: 3,200
Referee: Slavko Vinčić
9 March 2025 24 Celje 2–2 Primorje Celje
17:30 CET
Report
  • Edvin Suljanović 55'  72'
  • Ishaq Rafiu 70'
  • Domagoj Babin  82'
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 1,020
Referee: Dejan Balažič
16 March 2025 26 Celje 3–2 Nafta Celje
20:15 CET
Report
  • Zsombor Kálnoki-Kis 59'
  • Szabolcs Szalay 68'
  • Darko Hrka  79'
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 840
Referee: Aleksandar Matković
29 March 2025 27 Domžale 0–1 Celje Domžale
20:15 CET
  • Šturm  44'
  • Luka Kambič  57'
  • Lukas Hempt  90+3'
Report
Stadium: Domžale Sports Park
Attendance: 250
Referee: Alen Bubek
6 April 2025 28 Bravo 1–2 Celje Ljubljana
17:30 CET
Report
Stadium: Stožice Stadium
Attendance: 250
Referee: David Šmajc
13 April 2025 30 Celje 2–1 Mura Celje
17:30 CET
Report
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 1,364
Referee: Slavko Vinčić
21 April 2025 31 Radomlje 1–3 Celje Domžale
15:00 CET
Report
Stadium: Domžale Sports Park
Attendance: 350
Referee: Denis Šabanagič
27 April 2025 32 Celje 3–3 Olimpija Celje
17:30 CET
Report
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 3,270
Referee: Mihael Antič
30 April 2025 25 Koper 1–1 Celje Koper
18:45 CET
Report
Stadium: Bonifika Stadium
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: David Šmajc
4 May 2025 33 Primorje 0–5 Celje Ajdovščina
17:30 CET
  • Haris Kadrić  52'
  • Maj Fogec  61'
Report
Stadium: Ajdovščina Stadium
Attendance: 150
Referee: Božo Kondić

Slovenian Football Cup

25 September 2024 Round of 64 Dravinja 0–3 Celje Slovenske Konjice
15:30 UTC+2
  • Matko 13', 51'
  • Pišek 82'
Stadium: Štadion Dobrava
Referee: Gašper Lončar
30 October 2024 Round of 32 Hodoš 0–8 Celje Hodoš
14:00 CET Report
Stadium: Nogometno igrišče Hodoš
Attendance: 350
Referee: Blaž Bezjak
26 February 2025 Round of 16 Celje 3–2 Tabor Sežana Celje
16:00 CET
Report
  • Mihael Briški 33' (pen.)
  • Matevž Medič Slaček 81'
  • Kamal Bafounta  90+1'
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 730
Referee: Darjan Kovačič
2 April 2025 Quarter-finals Maribor 0–1 Celje Maribor
19:00 CET
Report Stadium: Ljudski vrt
Attendance: 5,500
Referee: Rade Obrenović
24 April 2025 Semi-finals Celje Olimpija Celje
18:00 CET Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele

UEFA Champions League

Qualifying

First qualifying round
10 July 2024 First leg Flora 0–5 Celje Tallinn, Estonia
19:00 EEST (UTC+3)
Report
Stadium: Lilleküla Stadium
Attendance: 2,002[2]
Referee: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz (Spain)
Assistant referees: Diego Sánchez Rojo (Spain), Fabian Blanco Rodríguez (Spain)
Fourth official: Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias (Spain)
16 July 2024 Second leg Celje 2–1
(7–1 agg.)
Flora Celje, Slovenia
19:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
  • Varjund 12'
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 2,382[3]
Referee: Goga Kikacheishvili (Georgia)
Assistant referees: David Akhvlediani (Georgia), Davit Gabisonia (Georgia)
Fourth official: Aleko Aptsiauri (Georgia)
Note: Celje won 7–1 on aggregate.
Second qualifying round
24 July 2024 First leg Celje 1–1 Slovan Bratislava Celje, Slovenia
20:15 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 4,382[4]
Referee: Darren England (England)
Assistant referees: James Mainwaring (England), Nick Greenhalgh (England)
Fourth official: Thomas Bramall (England)
30 July 2024 Second leg Slovan Bratislava 5–0
(6–1 agg.)
Celje Bratislava, Slovakia
20:30 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Tehelné pole
Attendance: 17,197[5]
Referee: Fabio Maresca (Italy)
Assistant referees: Daniele Bindoni (Italy), Marco Scatragli (Italy)
Fourth official: Giovanni Ayroldi (Italy)
Note: Slovan Bratislava won 6–1 on aggregate.

UEFA Europa League

Qualifying

Third qualifying round
8 August 2024 First leg Celje 1–0 Shamrock Rovers Celje, Slovenia
20:15 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 2,478[6]
Referee: Damian Sylwestrzak (Poland)
Assistant referees: Paweł Sokolnicki (Poland), Bartosz Kaszyński (Poland)
Fourth official: Marcin Kochanek (Poland)
15 August 2024 Second leg Shamrock Rovers 3–1 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 agg.)
Celje Tallaght, Republic of Ireland
20:00 IST (UTC+1)
Report
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
Attendance: 6,153[7]
Referee: Ovidiu Hațegan (Romania)
Assistant referees: Mircea Mihail Grigoriu (Romania), Sebastian Gheorghe (Romania)
Fourth official: Iulian Dima (Romania)
Note: Shamrock Rovers won 3–2 on aggregate.

UEFA Conference League

Play-off round

22 August 2024 First leg Pyunik 1–0 Celje Yerevan, Armenia
20:00 AMT (UTC+4)
Report
  • Zec  41'
  • Pišek  72'
Stadium: Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium
Attendance: 7,768[8]
Referee: Luka Bilbija (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Assistant referees: Damir Lazić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Aleksandar Smiljanić (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Fourth official: Dragan Petrović (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
29 August 2024 Second leg Celje 4–1
(4–2 agg.)
Pyunik Celje, Slovenia
20:15 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 2,837[9]
Referee: Christian-Petru Ciochirca (Austria)
Assistant referees: Maximilian Weiss (Austria), Michael Obritzberger (Austria)
Fourth official: Alan Kijas (Austria)
Note: Celje 4–2 on aggregate.

League phase

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
19 Víkingur Reykjavík 6 2 2 2 7 8 −1 8 Advance to knockout phase play-offs (unseeded)
20 Borac Banja Luka 6 2 2 2 4 7 −3 8
21 Celje 6 2 1 3 13 13 0 7
22 Omonia 6 2 1 3 7 7 0 7
23 Molde 6 2 1 3 10 11 −1 7
Source: UEFA[10]
Rules for classification: League phase tiebreakers
Round123456
GroundAHAHAH
ResultLWLDLW
First match(es) will be played on ?. Source: UEFA
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
2 October 2024 1 Vitória de Guimarães 3–1 Celje Guimarães, Portugal
15:30 UTC+1 Report
Stadium: Estádio D. Afonso Henriques
Attendance: 10,263
Referee: Lothar D'hondt
24 October 2024 2 Celje 5–1 Başakşehir Celje, Slovenia
18:45 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 2,175
Referee: Oleksiy Derevinskyi
7 November 2024 3 Real Betis 2–1 Celje Seville, Spain
21:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Estadio Benito Villamarín
Attendance: 37,618
Referee: Novak Simović
28 November 2024 4 Celje 3–3 Jagiellonia Białystok Celje, Slovenia
18:45 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 3,520
Referee: Allard Lindhout
12 December 2024 5 Pafos 2–0 Celje Limassol, Cyprus
22:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Alphamega Stadium
Attendance: 2,051[11]
Referee: Paweł Raczkowski
19 December 2024 6 Celje 3–2 The New Saints Celje, Slovenia
21:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 2,640[12]
Referee: Lukas Fähndrich

Knockout phase

Knockout phase play-offs

The draw for the knockout phase play-offs was held on 20 December 2024.[13][14]

13 February 2025 (2025-02-13) First leg Celje 2–2 APOEL Celje, Slovenia
18:45
Report
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 4,050[15]
Referee: Mykola Balakin
20 February 2025 (2025-02-20) Second leg APOEL 0–2
(2–4 agg.)
Celje Nicosia, Cyprus
21:00 (22:00 UTC+2) Report
Stadium: GSP Stadium
Attendance: 9,108[16]
Referee: John Beaton
Note: Celje 4–2 on aggregate.
Round of 16

The draw for the round of 16 was held on 21 February 2025, 14:00 CET.[17]

6 March 2025 (2025-03-06) First leg Celje 1–0 Lugano Celje, Slovenia
21:00
Report Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 5,712[18]
Referee: António Nobre
13 March 2025 (2025-03-13) Second leg Lugano 5–4 (a.e.t.)
(5–5 agg.)
(1–3 p)
Celje Thun, Switzerland[note 1]
18:45
Report
Stadium: Stockhorn Arena
Attendance: 1,853[20]
Referee: Andris Treimanis
Penalties
Note: 5–5 on aggregate. Celje won 3–1 on penalties.
Quarter-finals

The draw for the quarter-finals was held on 21 February 2025, 14:00 CET.[17]

10 April 2025 First leg Celje 1–2 Fiorentina Celje, Slovenia
21:00 CEST (UTC+2) Report
Stadium: Stadion Z'dežele
Attendance: 12,512
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
17 April 2025 Second leg Fiorentina 2–2
(4–3 agg.)
Celje Florence, Italy
18:45 CEST (UTC+2)
Report
Stadium: Stadio Artemio Franchi
Attendance: 13,195
Referee: João Pinheiro (Portugal)
Note: Fiorentina 4–3 on aggregate.

Notes

  1. ^ Lugano played their home matches at Stockhorn Arena, Thun, instead of their regular stadium, Cornaredo Stadium, Lugano, due to renovation work.[19]

References

  1. ^ K, R. "Štajerski derbi konec julija, večni derbi konec avgusta". rtvslo.si.
  2. ^ "Flora Tallinn vs. Celje" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  3. ^ "Celje vs. Flora Tallinn" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  4. ^ "Celje vs. S. Bratislava" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  5. ^ "S. Bratislava vs. Celje" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  6. ^ "Celje vs. Shamrock Rovers" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 8 August 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  7. ^ "Shamrock Rovers vs. Celje" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  8. ^ "Pyunik vs. Celje" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  9. ^ "Celje vs. Pyunik" (JSON). UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  10. ^ "League phase table". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 8 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Full Time Summary Matchday 5 – Pafos v Celje" (PDF). UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  12. ^ "Full Time Summary Matchday 6 – Celje v The New Saints" (PDF). UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  13. ^ "UEFA Conference League knockout round play-off draw". UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
  14. ^ "2024/25 UEFA Conference League knockout phase play-off draw results" (PDF). Union of European Football Associations. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
  15. ^ "Full Time Summary Knockout phase play-offs 1st Leg – Celje v APOEL" (PDF). UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  16. ^ "Full Time Summary Knockout phase play-offs 2nd Leg – APOEL v Celje" (PDF). UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 20 February 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  17. ^ a b "UEFA Conference League round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final draws: Where is it, when is it, who is involved?". UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  18. ^ "Full Time Summary Round of 16 1st Leg – Celje v Lugano" (PDF). UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  19. ^ "L'FC Lugano alla Stockhorn Arena di Thun" [FC Lugano at the Stockhorn Arena in Thun] (in Italian). FC Lugano. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Full Time Summary Round of 16 2nd Leg – Lugano v Celje" (PDF). UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025.