UEFA Champions League: Kairat Hosts Pafos in Quest for First League Phase Victory
Kairat Almaty and Pafos FC clash in the UEFA Champions League League Phase, both seeking their first win in the competition. While Kairat has struggled in Europe, Pafos has shown resilience, securing a draw against Olympiacos. This match presents a crucial opportunity for both sides to kickstart their European campaign amidst strong domestic form. [15, 16, 22]
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
Kairat Almaty enters this Champions League League Phase match having faced tough defeats against Sporting CP and Real Madrid, losing 4-1 and 5-0 respectively. [16, 22, 24] Domestically, however, they are leading the Kazakhstan Premier League and are in excellent form. [15, 16, 24] This match against Pafos, another debutant in the league phase, offers a vital chance to secure their first points and avoid falling further behind in the European competition. [15, 16] Pafos FC, as the reigning Cypriot champions, made their UEFA Champions League league phase debut after navigating through qualifying rounds. [13] They secured a commendable 0-0 draw against Olympiacos in one of their earlier league phase matches, demonstrating their ability to compete at this level. [16, 22] Much like Kairat, Pafos boasts strong domestic form, currently leading the Cypriot First Division. [15, 24] For Pafos, securing a win away from home would significantly boost their hopes of progressing or at least securing a respectable European finish. [15, 22]
Recent Form
Kairat Almaty has a mixed recent record of three wins and two losses in their last five official matches. They have been dominant in the Kazakhstan Premier League, securing victories against Kyzyl-Zhar (1-0), Zhetysu (5-0), and Zhenys (3-1). [21] However, their European outings have been challenging, suffering heavy defeats in the Champions League to Real Madrid (0-5) and Sporting CP (1-4). [21, 24] Pafos FC enters this match in strong form, with four wins and one draw in their last five official encounters. They have recorded significant victories in the Cypriot First Division, including a 4-0 win against Ethnikos Achna and a 4-2 win over AEK Larnaca. [21, 24] In the UEFA Champions League, they managed a resilient 0-0 draw against Olympiacos. [21] Their strong domestic run highlights their current momentum.
Key Players & Injury News
Key attacking players for Kairat include Dastan Satpaev, who recently scored a crucial goal, and international talents like Ricardinho, Edmilson, João Paulo, and Élder Santana. [12, 16] Midfield contributions come from Giorgi Zaria, Jorginho, and Dan Glazer, while Aleksandr Martynovich and Luís Mata anchor the defense. [12] Kairat faces significant injury concerns with key attacking duo Élder Santana and João Paulo both sidelined due to cruciate ligament injuries. [16] Goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutskiy is also doubtful, nursing a muscle injury. [16] These absences could impact Kairat's attacking potency and defensive stability. Pafos boasts a strong squad with notable players such as forward Landry Dimata, Anderson Silva, and Mons Bassouamina. [20] Their midfield is bolstered by Mislav Oršić, Ivan Šunjić, and Jajá, while veteran defender David Luiz joined the club in August 2025. [13, 20] Goalkeeper Jay Gorter is also a key figure for the Cypriot side. [13, 20] While no new significant injuries for Pafos have been reported in the latest available information, they recently saw the departure of goalkeeper Ivica Ivušić. [13] The team appears to have a relatively fit squad going into this crucial European fixture.