Getafe returned to the main stage of a European competition six years on with a draw in Romania that was settled in the closing stages. José Bordalás's side, blunt in attack for much of the game, found the net from distance just when the match seemed lost.

Bordalás was without Dani Carvajal, who is not registered for the league phase, and the injured players, and he stuck with his 4-4-2 with some rotation. Borja Mayoral led the line to cover for the absent Enes Ünal and Iván Azón, while young Jean Yves Valou partnered Djené at centre-back.

The first half was evenly contested, with control of the game shared. The clearest chance fell to Universitatea Craiova: Al Hamlawi pounced on a loss of possession in midfield and raced clear on David Soria, but his chip sailed over the bar. Getafe threatened through Mayoral, who fired wide from close range after an Andrés García cross deflected off a defender, and through Satriano.

The game opened up after the break. In the 59th minute Al Hamlawi made amends with a low, angled left-footed shot from outside the box that crept in beside the post, leaving Soria no chance.

Trailing, Bordalás turned to his bench and brought on, among others, Mojica and Kiko Femenía on the flanks. Getafe struggled to break down the Romanian defensive block, and with a quarter of an hour left Satriano had the equaliser at his feet when he met an Alberto Risco cross almost on the goal line, but Popescu kept it out.

Ten minutes from time Gudelj stepped up. The midfielder tried his luck from distance with a crisp, well-placed shot that flew beyond Popescu's reach for the final 1-1.

Neither side took undue risks in the closing minutes and the draw held until the final whistle. Getafe thus pick up their first point of the Conference League league phase.