After winning the first round, FCSB continue them Champions League qualifying campaign on Tuesday, when they Maccabi Tel Aviv to Arena Nationala in Bucharest.

The teams will compete against each other in the second round in two matches, with the first match being played by the reigning Romanian champion.

Match Preview

After finishing first in the SuperLiga regular season, FCSB won the championship play-off group against the rest of Romania’s top six last season, also securing a place in the Champions League qualifiers.

The capital’s club, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, who became European champions in 1986, cruised through their opening match with ease, beating Virtus 11-1 in the first qualifying round.

After winning 7-1 in San Marino, they won the home game 4-0. Malcolm Edjouma scored two more goals before half time.

Head coach Elias Charalambous has been the new coach of Cyprus since the beginning of last year and after leading FCSB to its first national title since 2015, he is now keen to bring the club back to the European stage.

The Ros-Albastrii have had little impact in the Europa League and Conference League of late, and it has been 11 years since they last reached the Champions League group stage.

Taking part in this season’s expanded format would be a dream come true for fans accustomed to regular success, but there are still three rounds to go before reaching the promised land.

The next hurdle FCSB must clear is Maccabi Tel Aviv, who have been preparing for their first continental match of the new season with a series of friendlies and participation in last week’s Israeli Super Cup.

By beating Maccabi Petach-Tikva 2-0 at Bloomfield Stadium, the Yellows got off to a good start as they adjust to life under a new boss. Zarko Lazetic.

The Serbian’s competitive debut was marked by a goal in the 14th minute of Eran Zahaviwhile Matan Hozez sealed the deal in injury time of the second half and started the new season with a trophy, just like FCSB, who defeated Corvinul in the Romanian Super Cup.

Former Maccabi manager Robbie Keane left Tel Aviv last month despite leading the club to the league title in his first year by finishing nine points ahead of nearest rivals Maccabi Haifa.

Under Keane’s guidance, they recorded three wins and just one loss in four Conference League games away from home, with no defeat in Romania to help them continue their first Champions League campaign in three years.

FCSB Champions League form:

FCSB form (all competitions):

Form Maccabi Tel Aviv (all competitions):

Team news

Experienced defender Vlad Chiriches and Romanian winger Marius Stefanescu returned for the return leg in FCSB’s win over Virtus after being suspended for red cards he received in the Conference League last season.

Both should be in the home team’s line-up on Tuesday, but the versatile attacker Florinel Coman has joined Qatari club Al Gharafa after participating in the 2024 European Championship. Furthermore, Octavian Popescu is not yet back from a foot injury and the recent signing Willem Baeten is not on the UEFA club registration list.

Against Unirea Slobozia on Friday, captain Darius Olariu, who scored 15 goals last season and has three goals in qualifying so far, should be supporting the team. Daniel Popa in front.

Meanwhile, Maccabi Tel-Aviv’s expectations have been dented by several absentees: Roy Relives, Osher Davida, Dor Turgeman and Ido Sharar are ready to represent Israel at this summer’s Olympic Games.

Moreover, starman Felicio Milson is in open conflict with the club management and has not shown up for training after being refused permission to travel to AEK Athens or Red Star Belgrade. The Angolan winger is therefore not allowed to travel to Romania.

After spending last year on loan at Hapoel Jerusalem, Matan Hozez scored in the Super Cup and could now join Dan Biton behind lone striker Eran Zahavi, who scored eight times in the Conference League last season.

Possible FCSB line-up:
Tarnovanu; Cretu, Chiriches, Harut, Radunovic; Lixandro, Edjouma; Miculescu, Olaru, Phelipe; Popa

Possible Maccabi Tel Aviv line-up:
Mashpati; Nachimas, Baltaxa, Shlomo, Davidzada; Hozez, Peretz, Van Overeem, Biton, Addo; Zahavi

We say: FCSB 2-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv

Although FCSB suffered two disappointing draws at the start of the SuperLiga season, they can make the most of home advantage and take firm control of this match with a win in Bucharest.

Maccabi Tel-Aviv need a good result on Tuesday in particular, as the return leg is played in neutral Hungary next week. But they have fewer competitive games to prepare for.

For a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scorelines and more for this match, click here.

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