Ararat-Armenia face Romanian champions Universitatea Craiova tonight in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League qualifying playoff.
Craiova enter the tie after winning the Romanian championship last season and keeping nearly all of their key players. The squad was also strengthened with goalkeeper Răzvan Sava, striker Simon Elisor and winger Heriberto Tavares.
This will not be Craiova’s first meeting with Armenian opposition. On October 23, 2025, they hosted Armenian champions Noah in the UEFA Conference League league phase, with the match ending 1-1. Monday Etim gave Craiova the lead in the 38th minute before Nardin Mulahusejnović equalized for Noah in the 73rd. It remains Craiova’s only previous European match against an Armenian club.
The Romanian side usually plays in a 3-4-3 or 5-2-3 and combines physical strength with technical quality. Several players are already familiar to Armenian fans. Alexandru Cicâldău scored twice against Armenia in the famous 3-2 Armenian victory over Romania, while wing-back Nicușor Bancu also caused Armenia problems in those matches. Georgian international Anzor Mekvabishvili is another key midfielder.
The main threat is 23-year-old winger Ștefan Baiaram, who has attracted interest from Anderlecht and Italian clubs. Craiova reportedly want around €6 million for him, while he has begun the season with four goals and two assists.
Overall, Craiova have 14 current internationals and three former national-team players.
Ararat-Armenia should expect a physically powerful side that also likes to control possession. Cicâldău and Mekvabishvili can dictate play centrally, while fast wingers and attacking wing-backs create pressure from wide areas.
Preventing Craiova from creating overloads on the flanks will be one of the key challenges if Ararat-Armenia are to bring a positive result back to Yerevan.
