In brief
Al-Hamlawi headed in from a Carlos Mora cross in the 3rd minute, and Baiaram made it 2-0 shortly after, with Craiova leading 2-0 at half-time.
Arellano scored for Inter D'Escaldes in the 78th minute, and substitute Elisor netted Craiova's third goal in the 86th minute.
Craiova have four points in the group after a 1-1 home draw with Getafe on 15 October, their first league-phase match.
- 3rd minuteAl-Hamlawi heads Craiova in front
- 5th minuteBaiaram doubles the lead for Craiova
- 78th minuteArellano pulls one back for Inter D'Escaldes
- 86th minuteElisor makes it 3-1 for Craiova
Two goals inside five minutes
Universitatea Craiova won 3-1 at Inter D'Escaldes on Thursday, 22 October, in the second round of the Conference League league phase, and the result was their first win in the group. The Romanian champions started on the front foot and took the lead in the 3rd minute, when Al-Hamlawi headed in a cross from the right by Carlos Mora. Less than two minutes later Baiaram added the second, finishing a pass from Bancu, and the visitors led 2-0 at half-time. Inter D'Escaldes had not lost at home this season, and neither CFR Cluj nor FCSB had beaten them on their own ground, so the early deficit was a setback for the hosts.
Chances and the hosts' reply
Craiova goalkeeper L. Popescu had to intervene in the 16th minute to stop a shot from Berlanga. Joao Lameira's long-range effort in the 36th minute came close to a third goal for Craiova before the break. After the restart Screciu tested goalkeeper J. Diaz in the 53rd minute, and Arellano's shot from inside the area in the 65th minute was poorly struck. In the 78th minute Molina played a precise pass and Arellano reduced the deficit for the hosts. One report, from Libertatea, credits the opening goal to Assad, while the other outlets name Al-Hamlawi.
Substitutions and the stands
Mauricio Pochettino, the United States national team coach, watched from the stands as his son Pochettino jr played for the hosts. Arellano came on for Berlanga and Camara replaced Sidibe in the 56th minute for Inter D'Escaldes, which was coached by Felip Ortiz. Craiova, coached by Filipe Coelho, made changes of their own, with Elisor replacing Al-Hamlawi in the 61st minute and Teles and D. Matei entering in the 72nd minute. Elisor scored the decisive third goal soon after, and Craiova did not face serious pressure again before the final whistle. The match was refereed by Christos Vergetis of Greece.
Standings and next fixtures
Craiova now have four points from two matches. Their first league-phase game ended 1-1 at home against Getafe on 15 October. Their next match is at home against KF Egnatia of Albania on 5 November at Ion Oblemenco. After that the club travel to Brighton on 26 November and to Kairat Almaty on 10 December, while the home fixture against FC Copenhagen has no date in the reports.