Universitatea Craiova vs. Mainz: UEFA Conference League LIVE blog and team news

Mainz put their 100 per cent UEFA Conference League record on the line with a trip to Romania’s Universitatea Craiova on Thursday (kick-off: 6.45pm CET).

The 05ers produced their best finish in a decade by coming sixth in the Bundesliga last season. A 5-3 aggregate win over Rosenborg in the play-offs ensured they’d feature in a UEFA competition proper for only the third time.

Although struggling domestically, Bo Henriksen’s side have been perfect so far in the league phase, claiming 1-0 wins over Omonia Nicosia and then Zrinjski Mostar, before a 95th-minute header from Jae-sung Lee got them a 2-1 come-from-behind victory at home to Fiorentina.

It places Mainz third in the 36-team table, tied on nine points with Samsunspor and Celje at the summit. The top eight sides after six games advance straight to the knockout rounds.

Playing in the main stage of a UEFA competition for the first time since the 1980s, Craiova came through three rounds of qualifying in the Conference League.

After a 2-0 opening loss at Poland’s Raków and 1-1 draw at home to Armenia’s Noah, the Romanians got their first three points on the board thanks to a 1-0 win at Rapid Vienna last time out. They are one of eight teams on four points, occupying 20th place.

VS

Craiova

Thu, 27.11 18:45

Mainz

Conference League
League phase, Matchday 4 League phase, Matchday 4 Ion Oblemenco Stadium, Craiova

Home turf

Tonight's venue is the impressive Ion Oblemenco Stadium, which, with a capacity of 30,983, is the fourth largest stadium in Romania.

© IMAGO/Razvan Pasarica/SPORT PICTURES

Bo Henriksen on facing Craiova

"We are approaching the task that awaits with a great deal of respect and know that a tough challenge lies ahead of us in Craiova. Nevertheless, we know the quality we possess and want to make it a positive experience."

© IMAGO/Martin Hoffmann

Who are Craiova?

Universitatea Craiova finished third in Romania's SuperLiga last season. That's exactly where they sit 17 games into the new campaign, three points behind leaders Rapid București, after winning 2-1 at Argeș Pitești on Friday. Like Mainz, they took the play-off route to the Conference League proper, beating İstanbul Başakşehir 5-2 on aggregate. They've since lost at Czechia's Raków (2-0), drawn with Noah (1-1) and won away to Rapid Wien (1-0). French striker Steven Nsimba is their eight-goal top scorer in all competitions so far in 2025/26.

© IMAGO/Razvan Pasarica/SPORT PICTURES

Perfect in Europe

In stark contrast to their Bundesliga struggles, Mainz have been flying in Europe. After overcoming Rosenborg in the two-legged play-offs, Bo Henriksen's side have recorded successive wins over Omonoia, Zrinjski (both 1-0) and Fiorentina (2-1).

© Alex Grimm

2:03

Mainz 1-1 Hoffenheim - highlights

Substitute Danny da Costa's late effort rescued a point against Hoffenheim on Friday. The result kept the 0rers off the bottom off the table and within two points of safety following a difficult start to the domestic campaign (W1, D3, L7).

Welcome!

Welcome along and thanks for joining us for build-up and live coverage of Mainz's Conference League encounter away at Universitatea Craoiva on Matchday 4 of the league phase, which kicks off at 6.45pm CET on Thursday.

About the clubs

1. FSV Mainz 05

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