Universitatea Craiova Advances to Champions League Second Qualifying Round
Universitatea Craiova secured their place in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, defeating Belarusian side ML Vitebsk 1-0 in the second leg of their opening tie. Following a 4-1 victory in the first leg, the Romanian club advanced with a 5-1 aggregate score.
Match Report: A Late Decider in Bănie
The return leg proved to be a tightly contested affair. Despite entering the match with a significant aggregate cushion, Universitatea Craiova faced early pressure. In the 6th minute, ML Vitebsk’s Cleonise had a clear opportunity to score into an open net, but failed to capitalize. The hosts responded throughout the match with several attempts. In the 12th minute, a shot by Baiaram was blocked by the visiting goalkeeper, Pavlyuchenko. Later, in the 22nd minute, Carlos Mora’s effort struck the post after being deflected by the keeper. The visitors remained a threat, notably in the 34th minute when Laurențiu Popescu was forced to push a dangerous shot from Kontsevoy out for a corner. The breakthrough finally arrived in stoppage time. In the 90+2 minute, captain Nicușor Bancu struck the ball into the back of the net, sealing the 1-0 victory on the night.
Tactical Outlook and Next Opponent
Following the match, head coach Filipe Coelho acknowledged the victory but stated that the team still has many areas to improve upon. The focus now shifts to the next stage of the competition. Universitatea Craiova is set to face Levski Sofia, the champions of Bulgaria, in the second qualifying round. The first leg of this upcoming tie is scheduled for Tuesday on the Bulgarian side’s home ground.
Protocol and Solidarity
The match was marked by a notable departure from standard UEFA protocol. Prior to kickoff, the players from both Universitatea Craiova and ML Vitebsk opted to forgo the traditional handshake during the official pre-match lineup. This gesture followed a similar incident during the first leg in Mezőkövesd, Hungary, where three Universitatea Craiova players—Oleksandr Romanchuk, Anzor Mekvabishvili, and Samuel Teles—refused to participate in the protocol. These actions have been taken in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Specifically, the Craiova squad demonstrated solidarity with their teammate, Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Romanchuk. Supporters in the stands further highlighted this stance by displaying yellow shirts featuring Romanchuk’s name and the message “Stop War.” Under UEFA regulations, specifically Article 11 of the Disciplinary Regulations, clubs and players are expected to adhere to principles of fair play. Deliberate refusals to participate in official protocols can be categorized as unsporting behavior, potentially subjecting participants to disciplinary review.
Match Details
* Result: Universitatea Craiova 1–0 ML Vitebsk (5–1 aggregate) * Goal: Nicușor Bancu (90+2′) * Referee: Marton Rusz (Hungary) * Venue: Craiova Universitatea Craiova Lineup: L. Popescu – Romanchuk (Stevanovic 46), Ad. Rus, Badelj – Carlos Mora, Cicâldău, T. Băluță (Bancu 73), Samuel Teles (Mekvabishvili 86) – Etim (Tavares 46), Al-Hamlawi (Elisor 46), Baiaram. Coach: Filipe Coelho. ML Vitebsk Lineup: Pavlyuchenko – Balanovich (Moskalenchik 56), Volkov, Gomanov, Skibski (Zhuk 76) – Bocherov (Gnaka 56) – Cleonise, Gromyko (Nicholson 76), Mesarovic (T. Ivanov 53), Bosic – Kontsevoy. Coach: Filipp Sokolinski. Yellow Cards: Al-Hamlawi (39′), Etim (42′), Ad. Rus (86′).
Find more reporting in our Sports section.
Related reading