FCSBvs.M. Tel Aviv

The sides will battle it out in a two-legged second-round contest, with the first game hosted by the reigning Romanian champions.

Match preview

After finishing first in the SuperLiga's regular season, FCSB then went on to win last term's championship playoff group against the rest of Romania's top six, also sealing their place in the Champions League qualifiers.

The capital club - formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, who were champions of Europe in 1986 - came through their opening tie with ease, thrashing Virtus 11-1 on aggregate in the first qualifying round.

After cruising to a 7-1 victory in San Marino, they ran out 4-0 winners in the home leg, in which Malcom Edjouma helped himself to a brace before the half-time break.

Head coach Elias Charalambous has been in charge since early last year, and after leading FCSB to their first league title since 2015, the former Cyprus international is now keen to re-establish them on the European scene.

In addition to making little impact on either the Europa League or Conference League of late, the Ros-Albastrii last made the Champions League group stage 11 years ago.

Taking part in this season's expanded format would therefore represent a dream come true for fans once accustomed to regular success - but three rounds still separate them from reaching the promised land.

The next hurdle in FCSB's way will be a Maccabi Tel-Aviv side that have been tuning up for their first continental contest of the new season with a series of friendlies - and participation in last week's Israeli Super Cup.

Beating Maccabi Petach-Tikva 2-0 at Bloomfield Stadium set the Yellows off on the right foot, as they adapt to life under the management of new boss Zarko Lazetic.

The Serbian's competitive debut featured a 14th-minute goal from Eran Zahavi, while Matan Hozez sealed the deal during second-half stoppage time, starting the new season with a trophy - as did FCSB, who beat Corvinul in the Romanian Supercup.

Former Maccabi manager Robbie Keane left Tel Aviv last month, despite guiding the them to the league title in his first year by finishing nine points clear of nearest rivals Maccabi Haifa.

Under Keane's watch they posted three wins and only one loss from four Conference League contests on the road, and avoiding defeat in Romania would boost hopes of continuing their first Champions League campaign for three years.

FCSB Champions League form:

W

W

FCSB form (all competitions):

L

L

W

D

W

D

Maccabi Tel Aviv form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

W

W

Team News

Veteran defender Vlad Chiriches and Romania winger Marius Stefanescu returned for the second leg of FCSB's win over Virtus, having been suspended due to red cards received in the Conference League last season.

Both should feature in the hosts' lineup on Tuesday, but versatile forward Florinel Coman has joined Qatari club Al Gharafa following his appearance at Euro 2024. Furthermore, Octavian Popescu has yet to return from a foot injury and recent signing William Baeten is not on the club's UEFA registration list.

As against Unirea Slobozia on Friday, captain Darius Olariu - who scored 15 goals last season and has struck three times in qualifying so far - should support Daniel Popa up front.

Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel-Aviv's hopes have been hit by several absences: Roy Revivo, Osher Davida, Dor Turgeman and Ido Sharar are all set to represent Israel at this summer's Olympic Games.

In addition, star man Felicio Milson has been in open conflict with the club's management, failing to show up for the training after being refused permission to leave for either AEK Athens or Red Star Belgrade - the Angolan winger may not travel to Romania.

After spending last year on loan at Hapoel Jerusalem, Matan Hozez scored in the Super Cup and could now join Dan Biton behind lone striker Eran Zahavi, who struck eight times in the Conference league last season.

FCSB possible starting lineup:

Tarnovanu; Cretu, Chiriches, Harut, Radunovic; Lixandro, Edjouma; Miculescu, Olaru, Phelipe; Popa

Maccabi Tel Aviv possible starting lineup:

Mashpati; Nachimas, Baltaxa, Shlomo, Davidzada; Hozez, Peretz, Van Overeem, Biton, Addo; Zahavi

We say: FCSB 2-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv

Though FCSB posted two disappointing draws to start the SuperLiga season, they can make the most of home advantage and take a firm grip on this tie by winning in Bucharest.

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