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Lugano v FCSB background

Lugano lost at Hapoel Beer-Sheva on matchday one but will look to open their group stage account as FCSB seek a first win in Switzerland in Group G.

Lugano's Yao (left) in action against Hapoel Beer-Sheva
Lugano's Yao (left) in action against Hapoel Beer-Sheva ©AFP/Getty Images

Lugano lost at Hapoel Beer-Sheva on matchday one but will look to get a first group stage win under their belts as FCSB seek a maiden victory in Switzerland in UEFA Europa League Group G.

Previous meetings
• The sides are meeting for a first time, and this is Lugano's first encounter with Romanian opponents.

• FCSB's 12 meetings with Swiss clubs have ended W3 D7 L2. They have yet to win in six games in Switzerland: D4 L2.

Highlights: H. Beer-Sheva v Lugano

Form guide
• Lugano's record in nine European home games is W4 D1 L4, with Real Madrid and Barcelona among the sides who have beaten them on their own patch.

• FCSB are unbeaten in their two European away games this season: W1 D1. The victory was at Viktoria Plzeň, the team they also defeated 3-0 at home in their opening Group G fixture.

• Third in Switzerland last term, Lugano – from the Italian-speaking Ticino canton – have been absent from UEFA competition since 2002/03 and have yet to feature in a group stage.

• Beaten 5-1 on aggregate by Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League play-offs, FCSB are competing in the UEFA Europa League group stage for a seventh time since the tournament assumed its current format in 2009/10 (a record they share with Salzburg). They have twice reached the knockout phase.

Highlights: FCSB v Plzeň

Links and trivia
• The journey from Bucharest to Lucerne, where this game is being played, is around 1,350km.

• FCSB striker Harlem Gnohéré started his career in the lower leagues in Switzerland with La Tour/Le Pâquier, Bulle and Urania Genève Sport.

• This is Lugano's 20th UEFA game – and FCSB's 309th.

The coaches
• Pierluigi Tami took charge of Lugano for a second time in June 2017, the Italian-born defender having spent his entire professional career in Switzerland. Notably, he assisted Ottmar Hitzfeld during his spell as national coach.

• Nicolae Dică returned to FCSB as coach in May 2017, having served the club as a player in two previous spells, landing two titles – and a further one with CFR Cluj. The attacking midfielder also played in Italy, Greece and Turkey.