Armenian club Alashkert welcomed Romanian side CFR Cluj on Thursday, July 23, 2026, for the first leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round in Yerevan.
Alashkert advanced to this stage after a dramatic penalty shootout win against Kazakh team FC Yelimay, following a 3-3 aggregate draw.
CFR Cluj entered the competition directly after finishing third in the Romanian top flight last season.
Coach Gevorgyan's Pre-Match Comments
Alashkert manager Vahe Gevorgyan thanked supporters who traveled to Kazakhstan and urged them to attend the home leg.
He acknowledged the challenge of recovering emotionally from the previous match but stressed the team's calm preparation.
Gevorgyan noted that CFR Cluj has undergone changes since their last matches against Armenian teams, including a new coach.
He emphasized that his squad thoroughly analyzed the current Cluj side.
“They are a very strong team, and we all know the club has a rich history,” Gevorgyan said.
“We respect our opponents, but we are not afraid of anyone.”
The coach compared Cluj's possession-based style to Armenian club Urartu, describing their dynamic play with frequent positional rotations.
He confirmed full fitness of his roster and expressed hope that their extra competitive match would provide an edge.
When asked about tactical priorities, Gevorgyan stated simply: “The most important thing is to win.”
