Corvinul Hunedoara will be looking to get over the line in the second leg of their Europa League second qualifying round tie with Paksi SE on Thursday evening.
The Romanian side emerged victorious by a 4-0 scoreline when the two sides squared off in Hungary in last week's opening fixture.
Match preview
There have been some unusual occurrences across Europe in recent years, but the story involving Corvinul Hunedoara is one that may have passed you by.
As a result of being owned by a comunal department, the Ravens are unable to earn promotion from the second tier of Romanian football, leaving their second-placed finish in 2023-24 effectively meaningless.
What was far more relevant was their shock Romanian Cup triumph, the first in their history, and it has resulted in just a second-ever appearance in European football.
On paper, Corvinul Hunedoara may have been viewed as the underdogs against a team who finished in second position in Hungary's top flight in 2023-24.
Instead, they stormed to an incredible 4-0 win at the Fehervari uti Stadion, Sergiu Bus opening the scoring before Marius Lupu's hat-trick.
While Florin Maxim will stress to his players that the job is not done, they are on the brink of edging closer to a first-ever outing in the group stage of a major competition.
Paksi are also minnows on the European stage, with their solitary appearance ending in a Europa League third-qualifying round defeat to Hearts back in 2011-12.
Having finished as runners-up to Ferencvaros and being presented with a winnable tie, there was optimism of a deep run in this competition.
Gyorgy Bognar's team will instead likely have to concentrate on attempting to negotiate three rounds in the Europa Conference League, the consequence of bowing out in the early stages of this second-tier competition.
Team News
With Corvinul Hunedoara midfielder Denis Hrezdac going off injured during the closing stages of the first leg, he may not be risked here.
Ionut Pop was introduced in his place on that occasion, but Marius Chindris is another option to deputise in the engine room.
Meanwhile, Paksi will have to make do with forward and captain Balint Szabo, who was sent off during the closing stages last time out.
Barna Toth looks most likely to come into the attack as a direct replacement, although Bognar could tinker with his formation given the deficit that needs to be overturned.
Goalkeeper Peter Szappanos went to Euro 2024 with Hungary without making an appearance as his nation were dumped out in the group stages.
Corvinul Hunedoara possible starting lineup:
Lefter; Bradu, Lica, Manolache, Iacob; Chindris; Lupu, Neacsa, Roger, Pirvulescu; Bus
Paksi SE possible starting lineup:
Szappanos; J.Szabo, Kinyik, Lenzser; Osvath, Balogh, Windecker, Papp, Silye; Toth, Konyves
We say: Corvinul Hunedoara 2-0 Paksi SE (Corvinul Hunedoara to win 6-0 on aggregate)
In theory, this tie feels as good as over, and it may lead to the home side going through the motions to a certain extent. Nevertheless, we still expect the Romanian outfit to earn a comfortable victory on Thursday evening.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
