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

Petrocubvs.APOEL

sportsmole.co.uk, 28 July 2024, 21:42
In the second leg of the Champions League's second qualifying round, Moldovan champions Petrocub Hincesti are set to host APOEL Nicosia at Stadionul Orasenesc on Tuesday.

The home side must overturn the deficit from last week's first leg, when they lost 1-0 on July 23 against Cyrpus' top-flight champions at the Neo GSP.

Match preview

The hosts were defeated last week because of a 37th minute penalty, which was awarded to APOEL after Ion Bors was punished by referee Robert Schroder for an infringement in the penalty area.

Petrocub were rather ill disciplined in that match considering six of their starting XI picked up yellow cards while just one APOEL starter was booked.

However, despite their loss they still had 53% possession, generated eight shots and five of their efforts were on target.

Also, considering last week was only the club's third ever match in the Champions League, their showing was far from disappointing.

Manager Andrei Martin will take confidence in the fact that his side have won their last 13 home matches and scored 59 goals in this period.

APOEL's win in the first leg was achieved thanks to their penalty being converted by winger Marquinhos.

Although Τhrylos emerged as winners they only had four shots in the entire game, and excluding the penalty, just one attempt on target.

APOEL have not reached the group stage of the Champions League since the 2017-18 season, when they finished last place in a group with Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham Hotspur.

They did reach the round of 32 in the Europa League in 2019-20, but they have not qualified to the group stage of any European competition in the last three seasons.

Last term, APOEL won the top-flight title after finishing first in their championship playoff group with an overall record of 73 points from 36 games.

Despite their victory last week, manager David Gallego Rodriguez will be wary of Tuesday's opponents considering his side's away form has been mixed in the last 10 matches, in which they have won four, drawn four and lost two.

Petrocub Hincesti Champions League form:

D

W

L

Petrocub Hincesti form (all competitions):

APOEL Champions League form:

W

APOEL form (all competitions):

Team News

Given that Petrocub had twice the shots and more than two times as many attempts on target as their opponents last week, it would be a surprise if boss Martin made many changes to the starting XI.

Expect goalkeeper Silviu Smalenea to be shielded by centre-backs Ion Bors, Victor Mudrac and Donalio Melachio Douanla, while young striker Mihai Lupan could be an option up front.

As for APOEL, goalkeeper Vid Belec captained the side last time out and is sure to start behind centre-backs Radosav Petrovic and Cipriano.

Elsewhere, forward Kingsley Sarfo was substituted in the second half for Anastasios Donis, and he will be pushing for a start.

Petrocub Hincesti possible starting lineup:

Smalenea; Bors, Mudrac, Douanla; Jardan, Lungu, Abagna, S Platica; Ambros, M Platica, Puscas

APOEL possible starting lineup:

Belic; Susic, Petrovic, Cipriano, Quintilla; Ndongala, Tejera, Kostadinov; Donis, Drazic, Marquinhos

We say: Petrocub Hincesti 1-1 APOEL (APOEL win 2-1 on aggregate after extra time)

Petrocub were unfortunate to have lost the first leg considering APOEL only had one shot on target that was not from their penalty kick.

Previews by email

Top News

22 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed defender Ben White will be sidelined for months after undergoing knee surgery. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League have announced that their partnership with IMG will end after 20 years for a new media operation. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fresh update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has reportedly been the subject of an "audacious" bid from Leeds United. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams enjoying some superb form will meet at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, as Lazio and Bologna both aim to extend winning streaks in Serie A. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Erling Haaland sent out a warning shot to the Premier League as Manchester City aim to end their four match losing streak. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Enzo Maresca's King Power Stadium reunion takes place on Saturday lunchtime, as Leicester City and Chelsea prepare for battle in the Premier League's first game back after the international break. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final standings in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League groups have now been confirmed, and attention will now begin to switch to the knockout stage and playoff formats of the competition. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have suffered a defeat in their long-running legal battle with the Premier League, who have seen proposed changes to Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules approved by a majority of teams. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides battling against relegation from Ligue 1 are set to come together on Sunday afternoon when Nantes host Le Havre at Stade de la Beaujoire. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leganes head coach Borja Jimenez will have to make two changes to his starting XI for Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Madrid. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Raul Asencio is in line to make his full debut for Real Madrid in Sunday's La Liga clash with Leganes. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Michail Antonio's professional career has had plenty of unexpected twists and turns. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea star Cole Palmer will be bidding to add to an incredible Premier League record when he lines up against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League is back and that can only mean one thing. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester City are confident of agreeing a lucrative new contract with Erling Haaland after Pep Guardiola agreed to stay, talkSPORT understands. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be aiming to build on their impressive win over Osasuna before the international break when they resume their domestic campaign with a clash against Leganes on Sunday evening. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a mixed injury update ahead of the Reds' imminent showdowns with Southampton in the Premier League and Real Madrid in the Champions League. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The January transfer window is an opportunity for teams to fix their summer spending on the cheap, or in these cases, for free. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Kai Havertz may have transformed himself at Arsenal - but he's not on the level of his Premier League rivals. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Reece James has suggested that he is remaining upbeat over his latest hamstring injury. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Mohamed Salah is one of the world's best players and he has become one of the top five Liverpool goalscorers ever. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Phil Foden is a superstar for Manchester City, but he still opts to wear an unconventional number at his boyhood club. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The latest instalment of the Basque derby will take place at San Mames on Sunday night, with Athletic Bilbao welcoming rivals Real Sociedad for what should be a highly-charged affair. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa will be looking to extend a Premier League feat when they face Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Having entered the international break with a run of three straight defeats, both Torino and Monza will try to stop the rot on Sunday, when they lock horns in Turin. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Third kits in the Premier League have caught the eye this season and you will certainly notice a unique difference from typical strips… 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's Premier League home clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon is their "biggest game of the season" so far, according to Gunners expert Charles Watts. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sevilla will attempt to bounce back from successive defeats in La Liga when they continue their campaign with a fixture against Rayo Vallecano at Estadio Ramon on Sunday afternoon. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool will endeavour to maintain or increase their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table when they pit their wits against Southampton on Sunday at St Mary's.