Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: CFR Cluj vs. FC Pyunik - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 11 July 2022, 10:24
CFR Cluj and FC Pyunik reconvene for the second leg of their Champions League first-round qualifying battle after no goals were to be had in the opening encounter.

The winners of this showdown will advance to face either F91 Dudelange or Tirana in the second round later this month.

Match preview

As we have witnessed in a number of first-round qualifying matches this term, European pedigree counts for nothing over the course of 90 minutes, and Cluj found that out the hard way against Pyunik.

Dan Petrescu's side can regularly be found plying their trade in the group stage of one continental tournament or another, but the Romanian champions could not claim a first-leg advantage following a 0-0 draw in Armenia last week.

Returning to home comforts at the Stadionul Dr. Constantin Radulescu, Cluj - who have made it to the Champions League group stages on three occasions, most recently in the 2012-13 season - will endeavour to avoid a first-round qualifying elimination for the first time in their 114-year history.

Several teams involved in first-round qualifying have not had to worry about a domestic fixture being sandwiched in between their two-legged tie, but Cluj were in Romanian Super Cup action at the weekend and lost 2-1 to Sepsi OSK Sf. Gheorghe, which has done nothing to boost the confidence in Petrescu's ranks.

In contrast, Armenian top-flight champions Pyunik have been granted the luxury of a full week's worth of rest before the trip to Romania, where they will aim to reach the second round of Champions League qualifying for the fifth time in a row.

Eghishe Melikyan's defensive formula certainly paid dividends in the first leg, as Pyunik stretched their unbeaten run in all tournaments to 18 matches, and not since 2008-09 have they been sent packing in the first round of qualifying.

By making it to the second hurdle, Pyunik would match their best-ever finish in Europe, although they have already featured in the second round of Champions League qualifying on seven occasions and have failed to progress each time.

Pyunik can take confidence in the fact that they have not failed to score away from home in any tournament since May 2021, but they have only ever won three games on the road in Champions League qualifying and cannot afford to sit back and hold what they have if their continental journey is to continue.

CFR Cluj Champions League form:

CFR Cluj form (all competitions):

FC Pyunik Champions League form:

Team News

Cluj have not suffered any fresh injury blows over the past week, and attacker Roger will be fine to feature despite being sent off four minutes after his introduction in Saturday's Super Cup defeat for violent conduct.

Alexandru Paun was only named on the bench for the first-leg draw, but the attacker can expect to feature in the first XI here after opening the scoring within the first two minutes at the weekend.

Petrescu did not hesitate to rotate for the Super Cup with this encounter in mind, and the hosting manager should recall the likes of Lovro Cvek, Nana Boateng and Denis Kolinger to the first XI on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Pyunik will be forced to cope without centre-back Nikita Baranov as he recovers from surgery, but the visitors should otherwise be working with a fully-fit squad on Wednesday.

Melikyan was not afraid to utilise a five-man defence in the first leg and can be expected to adopt a similar approach here, although David Davidyan's spot on the right is in jeopardy after he was taken off at half time last week.

CFR Cluj possible starting lineup:

Balgradean; Manea, Kolinger, Burca, Camora; Boateng, Cvek; Deac, Paun, Yeboah; Debeljuh

FC Pyunik possible starting lineup:

Yurchenko; Gonzalez, Bratkov, Vakulenko, Kovalenko, Juninho; Davidyan, Cociuc, Zambrano, Dashyan; Otubanjo

We say: CFR Cluj 2-0 FC Pyunik (Cluj win 2-0 on aggregate)

Pyunik's 5-4-1 setup serves them incredibly well defensively, but it is difficult to pinpoint where the goals may come from in the visitors' ranks, in spite of their recent hot streak on the road.

Previews by email

Top News

31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their ninth Bundesliga game of the season, relegation threatened Wolfsburg are set to host Augsburg on Saturday at Volkswagen Arena. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams who have turned a corner of late go head to head in round 11 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season as Fortuna Sittard welcome Heerenveen to the Fortuna Sittard Stadion on Sunday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest will endeavour to win their third consecutive Premier League game when they welcome West Ham United to the City Ground on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In one of two high-profile matches round 11 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season has to offer, Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar will do battle at De Kuip on Saturday evening. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both gunning for promotion in their respective divisions, Walsall and Bolton Wanderers will turn their attentions to the FA Cup as they meet for a first-round tie at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have received a major injury boost regarding Manuel Akanji, according to a report. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga giants Barcelona are monitoring the situation of Rafael Leao at AC Milan, according to a report. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Bournemouth 'should not abandon their principles' in Saturday's clash with the Premier League champions at the Vitality Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Holstein Kiel and Heidenheim meet at Holstein-Stadion in Saturday's gameweek nine match in a battle between a host in their first Bundesliga season and an opponent in their second-ever top-flight year. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has said that the Red Devils "can and have to perform better", as he prepares the team for Sunday's Premier League clash with Chelsea. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruud van Nistelrooy has said that he is expecting to remain at Manchester United as an assistant manager once the club have finalised a deal for Erik ten Hag's long-term replacement. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to make it back-to-back wins in pursuit of the top six in the Championship table, Sheffield Wednesday and Watford will meet at Hillsborough on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to bounce back to winning ways in their fights at opposite ends of the Championship table, Leeds United and Plymouth Argyle will square off at Elland Road on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Securing consecutive wins for the first time since September will be the major objective for Heracles as they entertain the challenge of NAC Breda at the Asito Stadium on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly started to consider other options in the transfer market at left-back, due to the predicted wage demands of Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City manager Steve Cooper is expected to recall several of his first-team stars for Saturday's Premier League clash with Ipswich Town at Portman Road. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town could be without as many as 10 players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Leicester City at Portman Road. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by just three points in the top six of the Championship table, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United will meet in an important contest at Ewood Park on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Last season's top two in the Championship lock horns at Portman Road for a Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon when Ipswich Town play host to Leicester City. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their first MLS playoff contest at Citi Field since 2022, New York City FC host FC Cincinnati needing a win on Saturday to stay alive in the quest for the cup. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The Premier League have released the shortlist for October's Player of the Month award, with players from clubs up and down the table and all over the pitch included. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Phil Foden is in contention to start for Manchester City in Saturday's Premier League encounter with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leganes will be aiming to make it three straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign with a trip to Girona on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Inter Miami can book a place in the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs with a victory over Atlanta United in game two of that series on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erling Haaland is expected to return to Manchester City's starting lineup for Saturday's Premier League encounter with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool expert David Lynch can envisage a captivating battle brewing between Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota for the right to lead the Reds' line when the latter returns from an abdominal injury. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has suggested that four key players could be absent from Saturday's meeting with West Ham United. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be looking to return to winning ways when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has virtually confirmed that he will announce his departure from the club imminently, amid reports that Manchester United have agreed to make him their new manager. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Osasuna will be bidding to make it successive victories in Spain's top flight when they continue their campaign with a home fixture against struggling Real Valladolid on Saturday afternoon.