After Armenian and Romanian champions FC Pyunik and CFR Cluj kick off their Champions League campaigns with Tuesday’s first-round qualifying first leg at the Republican Stadium, Vazgen Sargsyan will be in attendance with kickoff at 7 pm.
Translating domestic dominance into European success has been a challenge for Pyunik, who will kick off the new campaign with optimism surging through the ranks. Prior to the 2021-22 season, Pyunik had failed to clinch the Armenian top-flight title since 2015, with seven years of Alashkert and Ararat-Armenia dominance bedevilling them before a stellar campaign under the tutelage of Melikyan.
Despite being forced to settle for a 1-1 draw on the final day of the season versus Alashkert, Pyunik won their 15th Armenian Premier League crown with a point to spare and now set out to enjoy a respectable run in Champions League qualifying.
Pyunik have managed to make it as far as the third qualifying round in Europa League qualifying but have never advanced past round two of Champions League qualifying, losing out 5-1 on aggregate to Molde in 2015.
Cluj have already taken part in four friendly matches this summer, winning all four with four clean sheets to their name. And unlike their upcoming opponents, they have experienced the taste of Champions League group-stage football on three occasions—reaching the third qualifying round last year before being eliminated by BSC Young Boys.
FC Pyunik vs CRF Cluj Head to Head
Both sides have not played against each other and this marks their first encounter. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- FC Alashkert 1-1 Pyunik
- Pyunik 1-0 FC Aarat
- Pyunik 1-1 Urartu
- Pyunik 2-0 FC Van
Away
- Cluj 3-1 Unirea Dej
- Cluj 2-0 HNK Hajduk
- Partizan 0-1 Cluj
- Cluj 3-0 FK Krusevak
FC Pyunik Team News
FC Pyunik have already been dealt a big blow in the transfer market, as last season’s top scorer Serges Deble has moved on to Tobol Kostanay in Kazakhstan. Fellow attacker Hugo Firmino has also said his final goodbyes after hitting 16 goals in the division, while eight-goal Colombian Jose Caraballo is now a free agent.
CRF Cluj Team News
However, Cluj have lost their star striker Gabriel Debeljuh to Dinamo Zagreb, who is set to lead the line after hitting 14 goals in league action last season.
Prediction and Odds
Pyunik will be no pushovers at home, but Petrescu’s side have the advantage of greater continental experience and will expect to claim a first-leg advantage before heading back to Romania next week.
- Away Win
- Goals Under 2.5
- No Score: Home
