Paksi SE will face Corvinul Hunedoara in the first leg of the Europa League Qualifying round on Thursday night at Paksi Stadion.
This encounter marks Paksi’s return to European competitions after a 13-year hiatus, while Corvinul is making its first appearance since the early 1980s.
Paksi SE: Team News and Form
Paksi SE has been a significant force in Hungarian football since their promotion to the top flight in 2006.
They secured a second-place finish in the 2010-11 season, earning their first Europa League berth. In their maiden European campaign, Paksi performed admirably, defeating FC Santa Coloma and Tromso before falling to Hearts in the third round.
Paksi concluded the 2023-24 season on a high note, with a six-game unbeaten streak, including a Hungarian Cup victory over Ferencvaros.
Their recent friendly saw them triumph 3-1 against Austria Wien, boosting their confidence ahead of the Europa League qualifiers.
Key Players
Norbert Konyves: The 35-year-old striker netted 11 goals last season and will be crucial for Paksi’s attack.
Kristof Papp and Zsolt Haraszti: Both players were pivotal in Paksi's Hungarian Cup victory, and their performance will be essential in this match.
Corvinul Hunedoara: Team News and Form
Corvinul Hunedoara’s journey to this stage has been nothing short of remarkable.
The Romanian side, which was in the fourth tier as recently as 2018, won the Romanian Cup in the 2023-24 season, earning a spot in the Europa League.
They finished second in the Romanian second tier, demonstrating significant progress and ambition.
However, Corvinul faces a challenge with the departure of their top scorer, Marius Coman, to Sepsi. This has left a gap in their attack that needs to be addressed.
Key Players
Marius Lupu: With Coman’s departure, Lupu will be expected to lead the attack.
Florin Maxim: The manager’s experience and strategic acumen will be crucial in navigating this European challenge.
Prediction
Given Paksi's strong finish to their domestic season and Corvinul's recent promotion struggles, Paksi SE is expected to secure a comfortable victory.
Corvinul, playing their first European match in decades, may find it challenging to keep up with Paksi's experienced squad.
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