Pafos FC prepares for crucial Europa League second leg against Salzburg

Pafos FC is set to host Red Bull Salzburg at the Alphamega Stadium on August 13, 2026, at 20:00, in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie. The Cypriot side is aiming to overturn a 0-1 deficit from the first leg in Austria to secure a spot in the competition's play-offs. Should they advance, Pafos will face the Swedish club Mjällby AIF, which was recently eliminated from the Champions League by Slovan Bratislava.

Manager Ricardo Sa Pinto faces several selection challenges ahead of the match. Midfielder Kina is ruled out due to an Achilles tendon injury sustained in the first leg, and Sma is unavailable due to a suspension. Defender Correia is not on the club's European squad list. Conversely, Brito is fit to return, and the team will monitor the match-readiness of Bruno, Maé, and Anderson, who have returned to training. The team hopes to leverage their strong home record at the Alphamega Stadium, where they have secured 11 victories since the summer of 2024, to facilitate another European comeback, mirroring their successful reversal against Hajduk Split in the previous round.