Preview:CFR Cluj vs Lugano - prediction, team news, lineups

CFR Cluj will clash with FC Lugano in the return leg of their UEFA Europa League second round qualifying tie at Stadionul Dr. Constantine Radulescu on Thursday.

Both sides enter this contest on equal footing, and it is a winner-takes-all affair after the first leg ended in a 0-0 stalemate.

Match preview

CFR Cluj were below par in the first leg, as they were dominated by Lugano for most of the encounter, but they will be disappointed that they failed to come away with a win, after Karlo Muhar hit the post from 12 yards only 11 minutes into the action.

At the weekend, Dan Petrescu’s team returned to league action, but they fell short again, suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of FC Arges, a loss which is their first in the domestic campaign, with the other results being a win and one draw.

That result leaves them without a win in three successive matches across all competitions, and that could cause some worry in the hosts' camp ahead of Thursday’s fixture, especially considering that they have found the back of the net only once in that period.

Nevertheless, the Railwaymen will not be fazed as they were in a similar situation in the first round, when they recorded a goalless draw against Hungarian side Paks in the first leg but trounced their opponents 3-0 in the return on their turf to set up a date with Lugano.

The Whites and Burgundies have shown imperious form at home, winning 14 of their last fixtures in front of their fans, while they suffered one loss and recorded five draws.

More so, they can leverage their experience to negotiate their Swiss opponents, having gone as far as the round of 32 in the 2012-13 and 2019-20 seasons.

Meanwhile, Lugano will rue their inability to take advantage of their dominance in the first leg to take control of this tie.

In the aftermath of that draw, their quest to return to winning ways at the weekend ended in disappointment, following a 2-1 loss to FC Thun in their Swiss Super League opener this term.

Although it is still early days in the league, Mattia Croci-Torti will not be pleased with that result, considering that they have a crucial fixture ahead of them.

Seeking a place in the group phase of the competition for the first time since the 2019-20 season, the Black and White have it all to do against the home side in this contest.

CFR Cluj Europa League form:

CFR Cluj form (all competitions):

Lugano Europa League form:

Lugano form (all competitions):

Team News

Karlo Muhar limped off with an injury in the first leg and is effectively ruled out of Thursday’s fixture for the home side.

However, Romanian midfielder Adrian Paun should step up in the absence of the Croat when both sides file out for the encounter.

Although Meriton Korenica is one yellow card away from suspension, he is likely to be named in the starting XI.

As for the away side (Lugano), Ahmed Kendouci, Hicham Mahou and Martim Marques are all out injured, and they will watch proceedings from the sidelines.

In another development, Ivorian Ousmane Doumbia is a major doubt for this fixture, and he will have to pass a late fitness test to get the green light for this clash.

CFR Cluj possible starting lineup:

Hindrich; Camara, Ilie, Sinyan, Bose; Fika, Dokovic, Paun; Korenica, Munteanu, Nkololo

Lugano possible starting lineup:

Saipi; Zanotti, Papadopoulos, Mai, El Wafi, Grgic; Bislimi, Stefffan, Dos Santos, Alioski; Koutsias

We say: CFR Cluj 2-1 Lugano (Cluj win 2-1 on aggregate)

While CFR Cluj failed to make their mark in the first leg, having wasted a couple of gilt-edged chances, their attacking prowess is still a major factor ahead of this match. That said, we back the home side to claim a narrow 2-1 victory.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.