Universitatea Craiova prepares for Conference League opener against Getafe at Ion Oblemenco

Earlier match preview: this report was published before kick-off. It is not a current fixture update or a final-result report. See recorded SuperLiga fixtures and results.

Universitatea Craiova hosts Getafe in the first round of the UEFA Conference League main phase on October 15, 2026. The match kicks off at 19:45 at the Ion Oblemenco stadium in Craiova.

The Romanian club has already secured 3,170,000 euros for qualifying for this stage of the competition. A victory against the Spanish side would yield an additional 400,000 euros, while a draw is worth 133,000 euros.

Fan support for the home team is strong, with over 25,000 tickets sold for the fixture. The Peluza Nord stand is completely sold out, and only 100 tickets remain available for the Peluza Sud section.

Getafe facilitated travel for their supporters by covering ticket costs for more than 300 fans arriving from Spain. The visiting team is coached by Jose Bordalas, who is 62 years old.

Coach Filipe Coelho described Getafe as the strongest opponent Universitatea Craiova has faced in European cups this season. He noted their strong defensive organization and stated that they concede very few goals, with the exception of their match against Barcelona.

Coelho confirmed that the home team intends to play for a win rather than settling for a draw. However, the squad cannot rely on three important players for this match: Mora, Rus, and Etim.

Midfielder Samuel Teles has recovered from injury and is available for selection. He was not included in the squad for the previous round but is fit for this fixture.

Alexandru Cicâldău expressed the players' desire to surpass the club's performance from last season in Europe. He believes that replacements for any absent Getafe players will be of equal quality and stated that his team prepared well for the challenge.

Betting markets list Getafe as the favorite, with odds between 2.25 and 2.35 for an away win. Universitatea Craiova is considered the outsider, with odds ranging from 3.05 to 3.15 for a home victory.

The odds for a Craiova win or draw are set at 1.60. Some observers have suggested that the home team will not lose the match, despite the statistical favoritism toward the visitors.

Getafe has lost all official away matches played so far this season. This record contrasts with their status as paper favorites for this specific European fixture.

Slovenian referee David Smajc will officiate the game. He will be assisted by Manuel Vidali and David Gabrovec on the sidelines.

In the previous season's Conference League, Universitatea Craiova was eliminated by AEK Athens. Luka Jovic scored the decisive goal in the 90+15 minute of that encounter.

Teams finishing between first and eighth place in the league phase will qualify directly for the last 16. Those placed ninth to twenty-fourth will enter playoffs scheduled for February 2027.

Following this match, Universitatea Craiova will face Inter d'Escaldes away on October 22, 2026. Subsequent fixtures include home games against Egnatia and FC Copenhaga, and away trips to Brighton and Kairat Almaty.

Broadcasting rights for the UEFA Conference League in Romania for the 2026–2027 season are held by Digi Sport and Prima Sport.