Universitatea Craiova vs. Mainz 05 Conference League preview: Team news and predicted lineups | OneFootball

Universitatea Craiova

Craiova arrive at matchday four in solid form both domestically and on the continental stage, having lost just once in their last eight outings across all competitions. They sit third in the Romanian Superliga after a weekend victory and currently occupy 20th position in the Conference League table with four points.

Despite their results, the club made a significant change during the international break by parting ways with manager Mirel Rădoi. Filipe Coelho has taken over and will lead the team for the second time on Thursday.

In Europe, Craiova are coming off their first win of the campaign, a composed 1-0 success away to Rapid Wien secured by a first-half strike from Oleksandr Romanchuk. They now have the chance to claim back-to-back European wins for the first time since 1990.

Craiova’s home record in this competition is impressive. They have never lost a European home match in this tournament, going unbeaten in all nine fixtures. They have also scored in each of their last 16 home games in all competitions. The Ion Oblemenco Stadium is rarely a comfortable place for visiting sides.

Team news: 

Carlos Mora, Vladimir Screciu, Luis Paradela and Mihnea Rădulescu are all expected to miss out.

Mainz 05

Mainz have struggled in the Bundesliga, but Europe has offered a welcome escape. They are one of only three teams yet to drop a point in this season’s Conference League, winning all three of their fixtures so far. Henriksen’s men have looked like a transformed side on Thursday nights, currently sitting third in the overall table and level on points with the top two.

Their last European outing ended in late drama, as Mainz overturned a deficit to beat Fiorentina 2-1 at the Mewa Arena, with Jae-Sung Lee heading home a 95th-minute winner. However, they were unable to build on that spark domestically and have failed to win either of their two league matches since.

Henriksen has come under increasing scrutiny due to the team’s league form, though sporting director Christian Heidel offered a firm show of support at the club’s latest members’ meeting:

“There is a clear commitment. We stand behind the team and those in charge… We have always turned things around because we stand together in difficult situations.” 

Mainz have often performed better on the road this season, earning their only Bundesliga win away from the Mewa Arena and also winning in Cyprus. That will give them confidence heading into this tie, even if they have managed just two victories in their last eight European away matches historically.

Team news: 

Anthony Caci and Maxim Leitsch remain long-term absentees. Philip Mwene has not travelled due to a flu-like infection.

Predicted lineups

Universitatea Craiova (3-5-2): Isenko (GK) - Romanchuk, Rus, Badelj - Etim, Matei, Baluta, Mekvabishvili, Bancu - Al Hamlawi, Baiaram 

Mainz 05 (3-4-2-1): Zentner (GK) - da Costa, Maloney, Potulski - Kawasaki, Amiri, Sano, Widmer - Lee, Nebel - Hollerbach