Our prediction for this Europa Conference League match:
A spot in the Europa Conference League last 16 will be at stake when Cluj and Lazio go head to head at Stadionul Dr. Constantin Radulescu on Thursday. Both Nana Boateng and Yuri Matias are banned for the match, while No. 10 Ciprian Deac is one yellow card away from suspension. Croatia forward Gabriel Debeljuh continues to miss out with injury.
The Biancocelesti, on the other hand, did well to beat Cluj at Stadio Olimpico despite Patric’s sending off. Even though the Spanish defender is banned for the return leg, we are going to put our money on Maurizio Sarri’s men, who produced a fine display in a 2-0 win over Salernitana at the weekend. The good news for the visitors is that midfielder Mattia Zaccagni is back from the domestic ban. Ciro Immobile, who scored the winner in the first leg, will continue to lead the line for the Serie A outfit.
Highlighted Player (Elseid Hysaj):
Born on 2nd February 1994, Elseid Hysaj is an Albanian defender who has spent his entire professional career in Italian Serie A and he is predicted a bright future in the game. Empoli scouts spotted his talent while he was playing for Shodra youth sides, and after three years in the youth team, the full-back was promoted to the first team set up.
Hysaj performed really well in his first three years as a first team regular, helping the Azzurri gain promotion to the top fight in the process. One season in Serie A proved enough for the right-sided defender to secure a big club move as he joined Napoli in the summer of 2015 and immediately nailed down a regular starting berth.
Capable of doing dirty defensive work as well as making forward runs, Hysaj is a modern full-back, who is destined for big things. The talented footballer is already a key member of the Albania national team and he will represent the country at the Euro 2016 finals.
Highlighted Team (CFR Cluj):
Cluj are one of the oldest clubs in Romania as they were founded back in 1907 when the city of Cluj-Napoca was part of Austria-Hungary. The Feroviarii host their rivals at Dr. Constantin Radulescu Stadium, the venue which can hold up to 23,500 spectators.
Cluj are one of the most successful Romanian clubs of the 21st century, with the team clinching their fifth domestic trophy in the 2018/2019 season. Universitatea Cluj are considered the club’s fiercest rivals and it has to be noted that they first faced each other back in October, 1920.
The Feroviarii hold rivalries with Dinamo Bucuresti, Rapid Bucuresti, FCSB, Universitatea Craiova and Politehnica Timisoara as well. Speaking of European competitions, Cluj did well to make it to the UEFA Intertoto Cup final in 2005, with the team losing to French club Lens in the double-header. Cluj footballers wear claret shirts and claret shorts when playing at home, whilst the club’s away kit is white.