Lazio hold a 1-0 lead over CFR Cluj ahead of the second leg of their Europa Conference League knockout clash, with the two sides set to renew acquaintances in Romania on Thursday night.

Despite playing the majority of the first leg with 10 men, Lazio managed to notch a narrow advantage thanks to a sublime volley from star striker Ciro Immobile.

When Lazio defender Patric received a straight red card within 15 minutes of the first leg, Cluj looked destined to dominate proceedings, but the visitors failed to make the most of their one-man advantage.

In fact, Cluj managed to register a solitary shot on target at the Stadio Olimpico, and they also finished the game with just 39% possession after failing to gain a foothold in the contest.

CFR Cluj remain in the hunt for a sixth consecutive Liga I title after their 3-1 win over the weekend halted a three-game losing streak. That streak included a 1-0 defeat in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) play-off first leg against Lazio despite playing with an extra man for the majority of the game.

This tie is still in the balance then, and whilst coach Dan Petrescu has tapered down expectations he has still promised fans that his team “will give everything.”

However that first-leg result made it eight losses in 11 matches against Italian clubs (W2, D1), although Cluj’s only home win across those games actually came against none-other-than Lazio as recently as 2019/20! The Railwaymen have also won five of their last six home UECL matches (L1) each with a clean sheet, giving home fans hope that their side can upset the odds here.

Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri, who fumed at the referee for the controversial red card shown in the first leg, saw his team follow that narrow win with a 2-0 Serie A victory at Salernitana on Sunday, a result that took them up to fifth in the table. If the visitors can now continue their fledgling winning run and record three consecutive competitive victories for only the second time this season, it would extend their spotless record (W2) in two-legged knockout ties against Romanian clubs.

Yet that record may be put to the test by their away form as Lazio have won just once across their last 15 away UEFA matches (D5, L9). Adding to those jitters could be the fact the Italians are winless on the road in Europe this season (D1, L2). They’ve also lost their last four UEFA away games that were part of knock-out ties, each time getting eliminated!

Players to watch: Cluj’s Rangelo Janga has scored the match opener with each of his two UEFA strikes this season, as well as in three of his four league scoring appearances. But his thunder could be stolen by Ciro Immobile, who has been praised by Sarri as a “striker who lives for goals.” He has scored Lazio’s last three competitive goals and has four contributions (G2, A2) in five UEFA matches this season.

Hot streak: The winner on the day led 1-0 at half-time in each of Cluj’s last six UECL matches.

CFR Cluj Europa Conference League form:

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CFR Cluj form (all competitions):

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Lazio Europa Conference League form:

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Lazio form (all competitions):

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CFR Cluj possible starting lineup:

Scuffet; Manea, Matias, Burca, Camora; Deac, Adjei-Boateng, Muhar, Krasniqi; Yeboah, Birilgea

Lazio possible starting lineup:

Maximiano; Lazzari, Casale, Gila, Hysaj; Milinkovic-Savis, Antonio, Vecino; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni

With Immobile fit and firing once again, Lazio should book their place in the next round with a comfortable victory over Cluj, whose struggles on home soil look set to continue.