Overview
Pafos is facing the opportunity to participate in the main round of a European tournament for the third consecutive season. After participating in the Conference League season 2024-2025 and the Champions League season 2025-2026, they continue to aim to go deeper this season.
Pafos' journey started with an impressive comeback against Hajduk Split. After letting the opponent take a 2-goal lead in the first leg, they won 4-0 in extra time in the second leg, thereby winning the overall victory 4-2.
However, Pafos fell into a disadvantageous position against Salzburg. Haris Tabakovic's goal in the 88th minute helped the Austrian team win 1-0 in the first leg, forcing Pafos to continue to seek a comeback if they want to qualify for the play-offs.
The second leg will be held at the Alphamega stadium in Limassol instead of the Stelios Kyriakides stadium, as this venue does not meet UEFA standards. However, Pafos still has a basis for confidence as it has quite impressive home record in the European arena.
They have won 8 of their last 12 home matches in Cyprus, besides 3 draws and only 1 defeat. The only defeat came against Bayern Munich in the Champions League group stage last season.
If they cannot reverse the situation, Pafos will have to play in the Conference League play-off round, where they can meet Auda or Dinamo City.
In the opposite direction, Salzburg started the Europa League campaign from the third qualifying round after finishing third in the Austrian Bundesliga last season. This is also the beginning of the reign of coach Danny Rohl, who had a fairly favorable European debut.
Salzburg had to wait until the final minutes to get the decisive goal against Pafos. Haris Tabakovic came on as a substitute and scored in the 88th minute, bringing an important advantage to the Austrian team.
Rohl then rotated the squad in the 1-1 draw with Wolfsberger in the domestic league. Although unable to win, Salzburg still maintained an unbeaten record from the beginning of the season with 3 wins and 1 draw.
Personnel situation
Pafos is likely to be without Domingos Quina, who had to leave the field at the end of the first half in the first leg in Austria. Sema came on to replace Quina but could not participate in the second leg after receiving a red card.
The home team also suffered losses in two other positions when goalkeeper Charalambos Kyriakidis and striker Jaja are both being treated for injuries.
On Salzburg's side, Enrique Aguilar is definitely absent due to a hand injury sustained in the first leg. Meanwhile, Soumaila Diabate, Edmund Baidoo and Gaoussou Diakite are still racing against time to return in time.
Haris Tabakovic is likely to be given a starting spot in the attack after wearing the Salzburg shirt for the first time in the draw against Wolfsberger.
Expected lineup:
Pafos FC: Majecki, Brito, Goldar, Luiz, Ioannou, Dragomir, Sunjic, Guga, Mammadov, Biel, Lele.
Red Bull Salzburg: Zawieschitzky, Veratschnig, Boma, Zabransky, Schmid, Diabate, Barry, Baidoo, Diakhite, Redzic, Tabakovic.
The match between Pafos FC and Salzburg takes place at 0:00 AM on August 14 (Vietnam time).
