**Conference League football is here for a reason — and Cluj want to prove they belong in this one.** 🏆 CFR have been scattershot in preseason (two heavy wins sandwiched around a shocker at Rapid), while Tromsø arrive as the form team, having won three of their last five with that eye-catching 6-2 thrashing.

CFR's home advantage and recent firepower (5-0 and 3-0 wins) should count for something, but Tromsø's solidity in midfield and missing three key defenders could make this tighter than it looks on paper.

Key storylines:

- **CFR's inconsistency** — one moment they're blitzing FC Voluntari 5-0, the next they're losing 1-3 away. Which version shows up?
- **Tromsø's injury pile-up** — losing C. Öyvann, L. Cornic, and V. Ekblom thins their defensive depth on the road.
- **K. Muhar and the Cluj midfield** — if they control tempo through the middle, the pace should favor the hosts.

Expected lineups:

- **CFR 1907 Cluj**: O. Vâlceanu, A. Abeid, C. Braun, R. Pantalon, S. Rocha, A. Cordea, B. Costa, K. Muhar, S. Dražić, L. Biliboc, A. Șfaiț
- **Tromsø IL**: J. Haugaard, V. Skjaervik, I. Vadebu, A. Warneryd, M. Tonnessen, M. Mikkelsen, D. Edvardsson, R. Jenssen, J. Hjertø-Dahl, H. A. Larsen, L. O. Larsen

Prediction:

**CFR 2–1 Tromsø.** Home comfort edges it, though Tromsø will be no pushover.