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This game is far played. In Romania, the last week was 2-2, so the Belgians seem to have the best credentials. Astra Giurgiu should have scored at least to claim a spot in the next round.
Genk
The season runs Genk still stiff and inconsistent. In the league the Genk will have to put all hands on deck to remain in the race for a ticket to the Play-Offs 1. vicissitude cost coach Peter Maes head and so we have a Dutch twist to this game: his replacement is Dutchman Albert Stuivenberg.
Despite the reasonable position, Stuivenberg will look back with mixed feelings on the first meeting between these two clubs. Stuivenberg saw his team come twice ahead, but relinquish it on again. After Leandro Trossard six minutes from time in the 1-2 working after a beautiful counterattack, Genk should have drawn the victory over.
That feeling will prevail in Stuivenberg. In injury time, the Romanian club was still aboard. In return Astra will undoubtedly leave the Belgians come and go for the counter. They do actually the whole tournament, and it did so far more than good. Genk can write history Thursday night because they never managed to reach the eighth final of the Europa League.
Probable lineup Genk
Ryan, Castagne, Brabec, Colley, Uronen, Heynen, Kumordzi, Writers, Pouzuelo, Trossard, Samatta
Astra
Of the remaining teams Astra seems to be one of the great unknowns in the tournament. The Romanian club was champion last season, which is also so far the only time. This season they will not repeat that trick in any case, the team will include fourteen points behind leader FC Viitorul Constanta. Yet they are doing fine lately: Astra won the last five games in a row.
In the home game, the team of Marius Şumudică allowed to play football smart. That is not surprising because the coach can rely on an experienced team, so Astra usually plays with five thirties at the base. Defender Geraldo Alves and midfielder Felipe Texeira are even 36. We can state with an average of 29.5 years, which Şumudică has a very old team.
What other remarkable fact is that the club is in possession of the richest Romanian in the world. Owner Ioan Niculae would own about 1.2 billion, but is currently jailed for 2.5 years out. This marks the club since his accounts were blocked. A European success the club would be able to use well financially.
Probable lineup Astra Giurgiu
Lung Jr. Săpunaru, Alves, Fabricio, Stan, Texeira, Seto, Junior Morais, Ionita, Niculae, Budescu