Milan face Craiova in the third qualifying round of the Europa League tonight, so what do we know about their opponents?
The Studenții finished fifth in the Romanian League last season, and Football Italia spoke to a Romanian football expert to get the lowdown on Devis Mangia’s side.
Words: Emanuel Roşu
Who are Craiova?
Craiova have very passionate fans, and are building a new stadium in their town. Inside, it looks like the Velodrome in Marseille. Outside it's like the Allianz Arena in Munchen.
Milan face Craiova in the third qualifying round of the Europa League tonight, so what do we know about their opponents?
The Studenții finished fifth in the Romanian League last season, and Football Italia spoke to a Romanian football expert to get the lowdown on Devis Mangia’s side.
Words: Emanuel Roşu
Who are Craiova?
Craiova have very passionate fans, and are building a new stadium in their town. Inside, it looks like the Velodrome in Marseille. Outside it's like the Allianz Arena in Munchen.
However, tomorrow’s match will not be played in Craiova, instead it will take place over 100km away in Severin. Still, Craiova have sold all the tickets and have promised there will be a very good atmosphere inside the stadium.
This is the club's first European participation since it was reformed, so there is huge excitement around these two games.
Craiova were banned compete in the Europa League last season, even if they'd qualified, as being a new club UEFA wouldn't grant a licence, as they hadn't been affiliated for three years.
The governing body requires at least three years' affiliation, and the club was reformed in 2013.
Who have they signed this summer?
They didn't move spectacularly in the transfer market. Craiova sold star forward Andrei Ivan to Krasnodar for €4m. However, while he’s a very talented striker, Ivan never reached that high a level, so his absence shouldn’t demolish the team.
Who are the danger men?
The team's new captain is Alex Baluta, a very small and dangerous forward. He's the one to look out for from Craiova's team.
Apart from him, the others are good players for the Romanian league level, but none are extraordinary.
Former Messina, Salernitana and Lecce midfielder Gustavo is also interesting, while Hristo Zlatinski is a reliable presence in the midfield. He played for Ludogorets before joining Craiova.
Who is the Coach?
Devis Mangia will be familiar to calcio fans, having had spells at Palermo, Bari and Ascoli.
Mangia was also the Italy Under-21 CT from 2012 to 2013, taking the Azzurrini to the 2013 European Championship final where they were beaten 4-2 by Spain.
He was announced as the new Craiova Coach on May 24 this year, and brought former Juventus and Italy Under-21 midfielder Fausto Rossi with him.