On a cool continental evening in Craiova, Getafe returned to European competition after a six-year absence with an exacting Conference League opening assignment at Stadionul Ion Oblemenco. José Bordalás’ side arrived in Romania looking to recover from a 3-0 defeat to Barcelona, but found Universitatea Craiova organised and willing to make the Spanish visitors work for every opening.
The match began at 18:45 local schedule time in front of what was expected to be a large crowd at the 31,000-capacity Ion Oblemenco, with Slovenia’s David Smajc appointed referee and Aleksandar Matkovic overseeing video decisions. Getafe pressed high from the opening exchanges, a familiar Bordalás hallmark, while Craiova initially threatened from set pieces. Stevanovic headed wide at the far post after an early corner.
Getafe gradually established more control of the ball. A diagonal pass from Valou found Borja Mayoral, whose lay-off almost released Uruguay forward Martín Satriano, only for goalkeeper Popescu to claim. Francho later struck from outside the area and appealed for handball when the ball hit Screciu, but the referee allowed play to continue.
Craiova’s defence then made a more decisive intervention when Andrés García crossed from the right for Mayoral at the back post. The striker appeared set to finish until Screciu stepped in to block. Davinchi also sent a low ball through the area from the left, with Satriano narrowly unable to reach it.
The Romanian hosts carried a threat of their own. A long ball directed toward Alexandru Cicaldau was headed away by Francho, but the loose ball fell to Palestinian forward Al-Hamlawi, whose first-time volley flew beyond the target. At the other end, Satriano escaped Lameira’s attention, shifted the ball and tried his luck from distance, but his effort drifted well wide.
After half an hour, the score remained 0-0. Romanchuk had received the first booking of the contest for pulling back Satriano as the Getafe forward tried to break into space, while Valou survived pressure from Al-Hamlawi when left as the visitors’ last defender.
Getafe started with David Soria in goal behind Andrés García, Djené, Gudelj, Valou and Davinchi. Francho, Mario Martín and Terrats formed the midfield, with Satriano alongside Mayoral in attack. Their substitutes included Letacek, Ferrer, Sazonov, Abqar, Boselli, Kiko Femenía, Mojica and Risco.
Craiova selected Popescu; Romanchuk, Stevanovic and Screciu; Teles, Lameira, Baluta and Bancu; Cicaldau, Al-Hamlawi and Baiaram. Carlos Mora was unavailable through suspension. Getafe were without Orel Mangala, Enes Unal, Iván Azón and Zaid Romero.
Dani Carvajal, whose move to Getafe until the end of the season had been completed earlier in the week, was also unavailable for this European fixture because he had not been registered for the competition. The former Real Madrid full-back was working toward fitness and could make his first appearance for the club against Rayo Vallecano on Monday.
The Craiova trip is the first of six league-phase fixtures for Getafe, who will subsequently host Lugano and Brighton, travel to Iberia Tbilisi, welcome Inter Escaldes and finish away to Ajax. Craiova’s own route continues with an away match against Inter Escaldes, home dates against Egnatia and Copenhagen, plus trips to Brighton and Kairat Almaty.
