Article by Alexandru Tomuțiu – Published on Friday, August 1, 2025, 00:43 / Updated on Friday, August 1, 20:54
CFR Cluj found out who will play in the preliminary round of the Europa League after Qualification in front of Lugano1-0 general. It will face it on Bragawho won the double with Levski Sofia with 1-0 general. The Portuguese qualified with great emotions, on their own ground, with a goal in the 104th minute of the extensions.
Despite the monumental occasions of the guests, those from CFR Cluj have assured their qualification in the preliminary round 3 thanks to the goal scored by Sheriff Sinyan, in extensions.
CFR Cluj will play with Braga in the 3rd round of the Europa League
Now, the people of Cluj are thinking about the next “double”, where the opponent's name is much more sound. Dan Petrescu's students will measure their forces with Sporting Braga, who finished last season in the 4th place in the first league in Portugal.
Lusitanians have a market share worth 173 million euros according to transfermarkt.com. The team coach is Carlos Vicens.
CFR also met Braga in the 2012-2013 season, in the Champions League groups. Then, the Transylvanians defeated home with 3-1 and on foreign land 2-0.
A possible advantage for CFR Cluj in a possible “double” with the brag is that the Portuguese did not start the championship. The red-white will play the first match in the internal competition on August 10, that is between the preliminary rounds. Until the first leg, Carlos Vicens's students have only the matches with Levski, from the preliminary round.
They gave everything they had. At the break I told them that it would be difficult to resist if we didn't hold the ball. I resisted, I did not make big mistakes in defense. An extraordinary evening for Cluj, for the fans of CFR, who were very happy. Today they helped us a lot.
I don't even want to think about what will be on Sunday, at the match with Craiova. He is in shape, he has very good players, they beat 4-0, it will be very difficult on Sunday. I don't know who will be able to play from those who have played now.
– Dan Petrescu, CFR Cluj coach, after qualifying in front of Lugano
