Cluj bury club crisis in opening win

Romanian side CFR Cluj defeated Basel 2-1 in their Champions League clash on Wednesday despite having undergone a coaching change just two days earlier.

Sorin Cartu replaced Andrea Mandorlini on Monday but Cluj, who first played in the group stage two years ago, were unaffected by the behind-the-scenes drama as they raced into a 2-0 lead by the 12th minute.

Ionut Rada headed his team in front in the ninth minute, powerfully meeting an inswinging corner from the left.

Three minutes later, Juan Culio crossed for Lacina Traore to head past goalkeeper Franco Costanza.

Basel, whose last Champions League group stage campaign ended with them reaching the last 16 in 2003, grabbed a lifeline in first-half injury time when Valentin Stocker headed past Nuno Claro from an Alexander Frei corner.