Auda vs FCSB – News and Probable Lineups

The Letônian club Auda is set to host the Romanian team FCSB in Riga for the second round qualifying fixture of the Conference League on Thursday.

The hosts go into the return leg with a slight edge, having secured a 3-2 win in Romania last week.

Match overview

Auda is competing in the qualifying rounds of the Conference League for the fourth year in a row after clinching the Letônian Football Cup in the previous season.

Their strongest showing in the qualifying rounds came during the 2024-25 season when they advanced through two rounds, only to be eliminated by Drita in the third qualifying round.

This time around, entering at the second-round stage, Auda understands the necessity of overcoming three ties to reach the main draw of a European competition for the first time in their history.

They began their European campaign on a promising note, managing to take the lead three times to secure a vital 3-2 victory in last Thursday’s away match against FCSB.

Kader Kone scored a sensational winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time, providing his team with a slender lead before the Thursday second leg, knowing that they just need to avoid a loss to set up a third-round qualifying match against either Aluminij or Dinamo City.

Jurgis Kalns’s team has not suffered defeat in five of their last six competitive home matches, including a 1-0 victory in their league game against BFC Daugavpils on Sunday.

On the other hand, FCSB boasts a notable European history, primarily attributed to their achievements in the late 1980s when they won the European Cup in 1986 and finished as runners-up to AC Milan three years later.

Recently, FCSB participated in the Europa League group stages for the previous two seasons, but an underperforming 2025-26 season has now placed them in the preliminary rounds of the Conference League.

After finishing eighth in the league, FCSB had to navigate single-elimination ties against Botosani and their rivals Dinamo Bucharest to secure some form of European football for the upcoming 2026-27 season.

However, the Romanian giants face an uphill struggle to continue their European journey following the setback last Thursday, a result marking Marius Baciu’s first defeat since he took over in May.

FCSB at least managed to bounce back with a 2-0 away victory in Sunday’s Superliga match versus Csikszereda.

This win was preceded by another 2-0 triumph against FC Arges on the season’s opening weekend, illustrating that they have the capacity to improve their defensive performance compared to the first leg against Auda.

Team News

The hosts are set to field a back four consisting of Tin Hrvoj, Moussa Ouedraogo, Ariel Arroyo, and Oskars Rubenis.

Leading the line for Auda will be Kader Kone, who has scored in his last two starts.

The Ivorian forward will be accompanied in the attack by Eduards Daskevics and Barthelemy Diedhiou.

As for FCSB, they will be without Siyabonga Ngezana, Mihai Popescu, Ofri Arad, and David Miculescu due to injuries.

Valentin Cretu is vying for a starting position after appearing as a half-time substitute in the first leg.

Daniel Birligea is expected to spearhead the attack, although Baciu also has the option of youthful talent Alexandru Stoian.

Auda probable starting XI:

Purins; Hrvoj, Ouedraogo, Arroyo, Rubenis; Ibrahim, Traore, Bongemba; Daskevics, Diedhiou, Kone

FCSB probable starting XI:

Tarnovano; Cretu, Dawa, Duarte, Padurariu; Cisotti, Radunovic; Boutoutaou, Popescu, Birligea

Auda will believe they have laid the groundwork with their win in Romania. Although they will be cautious of a possible response from FCSB, it seems likely that the hosts, who have lost just one of their past six home matches, will be adequate in securing their first-leg advantage by earning a draw.