Lugano take on the visitors CFR Cluj in the first leg of UEFA Europa League Qualification round of quarterfinals. The match will be played on Thursday, July 24th at Stockhorn Arena (Thun).
Lugano are starting their new season with this match. The Bianconeri are not considered a strong or well-known club. Yes, they have won league titles before, but all three came in the first half of the 20th century. They have shown some progress in recent years, however, winning the Swiss Cup in 2022 — their first major trophy in nearly three decades. The following season, they finished as league runners-up for the first time since 2001. But their most recent campaign was less impressive, both domestically and in Europe. In the Swiss Super League, they slipped to fourth place, edging Lausanne-Sport by just one point (54 vs. 53), while Luzern followed with 52. That single point made the difference in securing a European qualification spot. This summer, they brought back Ezgjan Alioski as a free agent and are now ready for another continental push.
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CFR Cluj have emerged in recent years as one of the powerhouses of Romanian football. However, their dominance has been challenged recently by the resurgence of Steaua, now known as FCSB. Last season, the title race once again came down to these two sides, and FCSB came out on top for the second year in a row. Dan Petrescu’s side are now launching another title campaign with determination. They opened their domestic season with a 2-1 win over Unirea Slobozia at home in Cluj-Napoca. Last weekend, they were held to a 0-0 draw away to Rapid Bucharest — perhaps already looking ahead to their next European clash. In the previous qualifying round, they got past Paksi FC with confidence: a 0-0 draw in Hungary followed by a 3-0 win at home. The squad looks physically ready and well-organized heading into this test in Switzerland.
This will be the first-ever meeting between these Swiss and Romanian clubs. In tightly matched ties like this, home advantage can be crucial. Trust Lugano to edge a win on their own turf.
Prediction for the match: Lugano to win.
