CFR Cluj — Hacken : Match Preview and Prediction for August 28,2025

CFR Cluj’s Dramatic Decline

The Romanian side is experiencing a dramatic decline. Their crushing 2-7 defeat in the initial fixture against Hacken proved to be more than just a loss; it triggered an all-encompassing collapse. In the immediate aftermath of the final whistle, head coach Dan Petrescu tendered his resignation, openly expressing his deep embarrassment regarding the outcome.

Persistent Defensive Vulnerabilities

However, their troubles only intensified. Just days later, with Andrea Mandorlini, their ‘new-old’ coach, at the helm, Cluj suffered another humiliating 1-4 defeat in the domestic league against the comparatively modest Oțelul. Their defensive line was utterly exposed yet again, and central defender Leo Bolgado’s frustration boiled over, leading him to strike an opponent, resulting in a direct red card and a three-game ban.

Internal Chaos and Player Unrest

Club owner Ioan Varga has declared a “revolution” and a comprehensive purge across all echelons, highlighting the pervasive administrative disarray. Compounding these issues is the ongoing saga involving leading goalscorer Luis Munteanu, who, unhappy with his role, had previously left the squad without authorization and has only recently rejoined training sessions. The dressing room ambiance is reportedly far from conducive to effective work, and new coach Mandorlini, who was himself dismissed from Cluj just 18 months prior, concedes that his return comes at an “extremely challenging” juncture.

Hacken’s Offensive Surge

The Swedish outfit has truly hit its stride, evolving into a formidable attacking force. They first demonstrated this by netting seven goals against Cluj, showcasing remarkable clinical finishing and absolute offensive supremacy. This performance was clearly not an anomaly, as evidenced by their subsequent fixture.

Continued Goal-Scoring Dominance

This past weekend, Hacken delivered another commanding performance, dismantling Varnamo 5-1 on the road in the Swedish league. Consequently, the team has registered an astonishing 12 goals across their last two fixtures. This prolific scoring is not mere fortune but a direct reflection of their well-honed attacking strategy. The statistics from their initial clash with Cluj speak volumes: 18 shots taken, 9 hitting the target, and an impressive Expected Goals (xG) metric of 3.88.

Attacking Prowess and Key Contributors

Hacken’s offensive machinery is clearly operating at peak efficiency. In their first leg against the Romanian side, Amor Layouni was exceptional, registering five assists, while goals were distributed among several players, notably braces from Simon Gustafson and substitute John Dembe. Against Varnamo, the team once again unleashed 13 shots on target and engineered 7 significant goal-scoring chances, culminating in an xG of 4.17, a testament to their immense attacking capabilities.