Three Romanian football sides are
\none step away from reaching the group stage of the Conference League European
\ncompetition. They will play on Thursday the second leg of the play-off matches,
\nand all three have to win in order to advance to the next stage. Of the three of them, CFR
\nCluj have the greatest chances to pull this off. The Romanian champions CFR
\nwill be playing at home against the Slovenian side NK Maribor, having drawn
\nnil-all in the away match. CFR have so far been able to score each time they
\nplayed at home, both in the domestic championship and in the European
\ncompetitions. If they reach the next stage, they will win the Conference League
\nbonus of 1 million euros, notes the Bucharest press, which would be very helpful
\nto CFR in ensuring a stable season given that the club has some serious
\nfinancial problems. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Universitatea Craiova, who are managed by the former Romanian international Mirel R\u0103doi, also drew in their
\nprevious match, which they played against the Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva at home,
\n1-all. The Israeli vice-champions scored first, with Universitatea Craiova
\nequalising from a penalty kick. The Romanian side then missed several more
\nopportunities to score, something they have been struggling with for most of the
\nseason. Their attack, however, has some of the most talented players of the
\nyoung generation, the international players Andrei Ivan and Jovan Markovici, so
\nfans have high expectations. If they reach the Conference League groups, it
\nwould be a first for Universitatea Craiova, who haven’t been able to qualify
\nfor any of the European competitions in their new format. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
Finally, the Romanian
\nvice-champions FCSB will be facing the Norwegian side Viking away in Stavanger.
\nIn the first leg in Bucharest, Viking won 2-1, so they are favourites in the
\nnext match, especially as FCSB need to win by a two-goal difference. With their
\nnew manager Nicolae Dic\u0103, however, FCSB have shown more determination and
\nambition, so they shouldn’t be ruled out just yet. (CM)<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Football<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":93,"featured_media":122746,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[40940],"tags":[29134],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-118137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport","tag-football"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n