The UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round serves up an intriguing clash as Romanian champions FCSB host Kosovan champions Drita at the Arena Națională. This marks a first-ever competitive meeting between these two clubs, with both sides looking to gain a crucial advantage in the first leg of this two-match series. The winner of this tie will advance to the play-off round for a chance to reach the group stage.
FCSB enters the match with a strong home record and a point to prove after a recent string of inconsistent performances in both domestic and European competitions. The Romanian side, with their passionate home crowd, will be aiming to secure a decisive victory to boost their confidence. Drita, meanwhile, has shown resilience in their European campaign, demonstrating the ability to perform under pressure. The Kosovan side will be looking to score a vital away goal and keep the tie close heading into the second leg. This clash promises to be a strategic battle with a high level of intensity, as both clubs have a clear path to the play-off round in their sights.
Match Details
- Competition: UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round (First Leg)
- Location: Bucharest, Romania
- Stadium: Arena Națională
- Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 2:30 PM ET / 9:30 PM EEST
- Referee: Damian Sylwestrzak (Poland)
Head-to-Head & Form Guide
There is no known competitive head-to-head record between FCSB and Drita. As this is their first-ever official meeting, recent form and tactical preparation will be the most important factors heading into this match.
FCSB:
FCSB comes into this crucial qualifier on the back of a tough run, having lost five of their last six matches across all competitions. After being eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers by Shkëndija, the Romanian side has struggled to find their form. Their most recent outing was a dramatic 4-3 loss to city rivals Dinamo București. Despite these setbacks, FCSB has a strong home advantage and a talented squad with players capable of turning the tide. They will be looking to their star players, such as Dennis Politic and Darius Olaru, to inspire a much-needed victory in this first leg.
- August 3, 2025: Dinamo București 4–3 FCSB (Romanian Liga I)
- July 30, 2025: FCSB 1–2 Shkëndija (Champions League Qualifying)
- July 27, 2025: FCSB 1–2 Farul Constanta (Romanian Liga I)
- July 23, 2025: Shkëndija 1–0 FCSB (Champions League Qualifying)
Drita:
Drita comes into this match with a mixed bag of results, having won and lost twice in their last four competitive matches. The Kosovan side began their European campaign in the Champions League qualifiers, where they beat Differdange but were subsequently eliminated by Copenhagen. Their domestic campaign has yet to begin, so their only competitive action this summer has been in Europe. Drita will be looking to capitalize on FCSB’s recent poor form and rely on their disciplined defending and opportunistic attack, led by key players such as Arb Manaj, who has been a consistent goal threat in their European matches.
- July 29, 2025: Drita 0–1 FC Copenhagen (Champions League Qualifying)
- July 22, 2025: FC Copenhagen 2–0 Drita (Champions League Qualifying)
- July 15, 2025: Differdange 2–3 Drita (Champions League Qualifying)
- July 8, 2025: Drita 1–0 Differdange (Champions League Qualifying)
Tactical Analysis & Key Players
This match is expected to be a test of FCSB’s attacking prowess against Drita’s disciplined defense. FCSB will likely seek to establish a high tempo from the start, utilizing their home advantage and talented squad to control possession and create scoring opportunities. Drita, under manager Zekirija Ramadani, will likely be organized and compact, looking to frustrate FCSB and hit them on the counter-attack. The battle in midfield will be crucial, with both teams looking to win the ball and dictate the tempo. FCSB’s defense will need to be at its best to contain Drita’s opportunistic attack, while also creating opportunities for their own forwards to exploit the Kosovan’s occasional defensive lapses.
How to Watch FCSB vs. Drita on TV, Live Stream
| Country | TV/Live Stream |
|---|---|
| Romania | N/A |
| Kosovo | N/A |
| United States | beIN SPORTS, Fox Sports |
| United Kingdom | N/A |
In the United States, the match will be broadcast live on beIN SPORTS and Fox Sports. For other regions, broadcasting information is not yet confirmed. It is also common for some clubs to provide live streams on their official websites or YouTube channels for European qualifiers, so it is worth checking those sources.
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
