How the Armenian clubs’ opponents performed ahead of the Conference League return legs

The opponents of the Armenian teams played their latest domestic league matches ahead of the second legs of the 2026/27 UEFA Conference League second qualifying round.

CFR Cluj 5–0 Voluntari

The Romanian club secured a convincing victory, although their opponents had been reduced to ten men as early as the 12th minute.

CFR Cluj started with six players who had also been in the starting lineup against Alashkert in Yerevan. Bruno Costa, who has not been registered for the Conference League, delivered a strong performance.

Several players were given a rest, but the team’s main leaders still spent a significant amount of time on the pitch.

The first match between Alashkert and CFR Cluj ended in a 1–1 draw. The return leg will be played in Cluj.

Zimbru 2–0 Politehnica

Noah’s opponents made a complete change to their starting lineup. Many of the players who had featured in the European match did not enter the pitch even as substitutes.

As a result, Zimbru’s key players received a full rest ahead of the return leg.

The first match between Noah and Zimbru ended 1–1. The second leg will take place in Abovyan.

Debrecen 0–2 Puskás Akadémia

Pyunik’s opponents suffered a home defeat.

Balázs Dzsudzsák was once again named in the starting lineup, but the 39-year-old veteran played only the first half and should be ready for the trip to Yerevan.

Dominik Kocsis completed a second consecutive match without being substituted. Terča and Bošković were also given a significant workload, while the other players who had featured in the first match against Pyunik spent less time on the pitch.

The home defeat could have a negative effect on the team’s morale ahead of the return leg in Yerevan.

Debrecen won the first match 1–0. The return fixture will be played in Yerevan.

Overall, the Armenian clubs’ opponents had a slight advantage in terms of match practice. However, their domestic league fixtures required additional effort and may have affected the players’ freshness.

At the beginning of a season, regular competitive action can often be more beneficial than rest, as teams are able to improve their fitness and find their playing rhythm more quickly. The importance of this factor will become clear in the return legs.

All second-leg matches in the Conference League second qualifying round will be played on July 30.

Ararat-Armenia’s Champions League opponents, Irish side Shamrock Rovers, did not play a domestic league match.

The Armenian championship has not yet started.