After the tour was able to win, the CFR Cluj, U Craiova and U Cluj formations held on Thursday night matches. CFR Cluj suffered terribly in Gruia, but eliminated Lugano in extensions. Craiova imposed 4-0 and goes on. U Cluj leaves Conference League.
Ștefan Baiaram, right, scored the second goal photo Facebook University Craiova
Thursday matches of Romanian teams in European Cups
The Europa League, the preliminary second round
CFR Cluj – Lugano 1-0 (in the tour, 0-0)
Sinyan (96)
The Swiss crushed the Transylvanians, having an 80% possession in the first half. The German Kevin Behrens scored two goals for the guests, both canceled after the lime intervention, the first for the hen, and the second – for an offside position. The vice -champion of Romania endured and struck in extensions. CFR Cluj will play in the preliminary round Europa League with the winner between Braga and Levski (0-0 in the tour).
Conference League, the second preliminary round
U Cluj – Ararat-Armenia 1-2 (in the tour, 0-0)
Lukic (13) / Hovhannisyan (53), Ayongo (117)
The Transylvanians returned after 53 years in the European Cups, but failed to qualify, although they opened the score in the return from Cluj.
U Craiova – FK Sarajevo 4-0 (in the tour, 1-2)
Al Hamlawi (51, 79 and 83), Baiaram (68)
Craiova University goes on with 5-2 general and will play in the third round against Spartak Trnava (Slovakia), who passed Hibernians (Malta) with 7-2 in general. In the third round, Craiova would play the manșa-tur at home.
/////////////////////////////////////////////
The day of truth arrived in the European Cups for three Romanian bands: CFR Cluj (Europa League), Craiova University and Cluj University (both in Conference League). Without victory in the first leg (two white draws and a failure), the Transylvanians and the Oltenians have the chance of rehabilitation. They all target the entry into groups, to save their seasonal and financially. The hardest mission is CFR, who has a fork with Lugano. The holder of the Romțniei Cup will receive the Swiss visit to Gruia, after 0-0 in the first preliminary round of the Europa League. The match between CFR and Lugano is scheduled from 20:30, live on Digi Sport 1 and the first sport 1. On the weekend, Lugano lost in Switzerland, 1-2 at home with Thun, in the first rund of championship. CFR gave in to the newly promoted FC Argeș, score 0-2.
CFR takes good what FCSB throws
Struck by a wave of injuries, CFR feels that it cannot cope with the current lot. With Louis Munteanu (23 years old) on the departure foot, the vice -champion went shopping. He brought Andrei Cordea (26 years old), a contract free according to the Arab experience. The “wing” left abroad by FCSB would have 14 goals in 36 matches for Al-Tai, in season 2024/2025. At this moment, Andrei Cordea’s market share, according to Transfermarkt, is 1.3 million euros. During this period of Mercato, Cordea would also be on the list of Egyptians in Zamalek, but was rejected by FCSB. Dan Petrescu’s team is “raining” in the middle. In Gruia, the central midfielder Malcolm Edjoua (28 years old) would also be descended, released by FCSB.
Lugano brings youth
Before this match, Lugano made an interesting transfer. However, the Swiss will not be able to use this player in the return with CFR Cluj (cannot be passed on the UEFA list). Lugano announced that he transferred the Swedish Youth International Elias Pihlstrom (18 years old) from Degerfors. The extreme left, listed at one million euros (according to Transfermarkt), signed a contract valid until July 2030 with Lugano. Elias Pihlstrom scored five goals and provided four decisive passes in 45 matches played for Degerfors. Two matches played Pihlstrom for the U21 national of Sweden. If he passes Lugano, CFR Cluj will face the third preliminary round of the Europa League on the winner of the Levski Sofia – Braga duel. In the tour of Bulgaria, the two drew “white”.
What the statistics say
Prior to the duel that will take place on the “Dr. Constantin Rădulescu” stadium, the Football Meets Data statisticians calculated the chances of “railways” to eliminate Lugano and access in the preliminary round, the second most important European inter-club competition. According to the data provided by the previously mentioned analysis platform, CFR Cluj has 62% chance of passing by Mattia Croci-Titi (43 years old). This percentage is based both on the result obtained in the tour, as well as on the advantage of their own land and the superior experience of the Transylvanians in European competitions. In Gruia it will not play on the field synthetic, as in Switzerland.
Craiova, forced to mark
Craiova University has to return to the return with FK Sarajevo a score of 1-2, to access the preliminary round of Conference League. It is played today, from 8.30 pm, live on Digi Sport 2 and the first sport. 2. In the 3rd stage of Superliga, in Bania the two universities representing Romania in Conference League have given nose to nose. The Oltenians prevailed with 2-1, after the guests led 1-0 until the 87th minute. Craiova returned the result by the “double” of Assad Al Halmawi (24 years old), brought with the sum of one million euros from Slastk Wroclaw (Poland). After the departure of Andrei Ivan, Craiova University transferred to the French striker Steven Nsimba, who signed a contract valid for two years, the club from Bănie announced. The 29 -year -old French striker comes after an experience at Aubagne, a band for which he scored 12 goals in 32 appearances in the national (third league). The footballer born in Hexagon also played for Paris 13 Atletico, FC 93 Bobigny, Co Les Ulis, Bourges 18, Stade Lavallois and US Avranches.
Rădoi plays his post
Mirel Rădoi (44 years old) had a verbal counter with the owner Mihai Rotaru, after the failure with NK Sarajevo. The coach quarreled on the patron is mixed in the team’s tactics. After the victory with U Cluj, obtained at the end, Rădoi took a step back: he apologized for taking the wave. But he told the boss that he needs transfers, after stating that some footballers, the case of Andrei Ivan, left without his consent from Bănie. These statements disturbed Mihai Rotaru, and the site 3minute.ro wrote that, in the event of an elimination with Sarajevo, Mirel Rădoi would be replaced. The first variant taken into account is Dorinel Munteanu, free of contract after the separation of Sepsi. Mihai Rotaru and Dorinel Munteanu have a good relationship. Recently, the owner of the University of Craiova discussed with “mountains”. The 57 -year -old coach is free of contract, after the episode Sepsi.
U Cluj, moved to Sibiu
Returning after 53 years in the European Cups, the University of Cluj does not want to stop after two games. The Transylvanians drew (0-0) away with FC Ararat-Armenia, in the first leg of the second preliminary round of Conference League. It was considered a good result, but the game of the Cluj band gives coach Ion Ovidiu Sabău. The second sleeve will take place today, at the Municipal Stadium in Sibiu (8 pm). Sabău is confident that others will be the data of the problem. “It will be difficult in return, if we play with this fear. But I trust that we will look much better. We play at home and he is an opponent who should normally not pose problems,” said Ioan Ovidiu Sabău (57 years). If it passes the Ararat-Armenia, the University of Cluj will receive the replica of the winner between the Kazakh FK Aktobe team (which evolves the goalkeeper Andrei Vlad and the defender Bogdan Vătăjelu) and the Czech band Sparta Prague (2-1 in the first leg).
The coach is worried
The coach Mircea Lucescu (80 years old) said that the latest results of the FCSB, CFR Cluj, Craiova University and Cluj University in the European Cups, who have not been able to win, are worrying to the national football team of Romania. However, he expressed the hope that all the Romanian teams will obtain the qualification in the next round. “Of course, the situation of the teams in the European Cups can be worrying. But I finally hope to qualify all four. And it would be extraordinary for our football, for players, but also for the national team. Because this spirit of competition, of high level is created. No one gives it to you, give you God“, Said Lucescu. The coach said that this summer he tried to convince the players from the national youth teams working abroad to sign contracts with the clubs in Romania, to benefit from the rule that obliges the Romanian teams to use players under 21 years.
