Romania should say “Thanks, UEFA!“, although, a few years ago, Gică Hagi howled as if from the mouth of a snake, accusing that “UEFA cut us out of the pen“. Allusion to the fact that Romania does not have any team directly accepted into the Champions League groups.
Darius Olaru, the FCSB hero. PHOTO: The Truth Archive
What CFR Cluj showed us on Thursday evening, we should be happy, however, for two reasons. First, UEFA spared us some colossal embarrassment in the Champions League. And one more thing: the European forum has expanded the format of the European cups so much that, starting this season, it is really hard for our champion team to be eliminated!
The case of the FCSB is eloquent in this regard. Starting from the first preliminary round of the Champions League, the title holder ensured their presence in a European group after eliminating Virtus (San Marino) and Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel). Failure to Sparta Prague (Czech Republic) relegated FCSB to the Europa League play-offs, where they met LASK Linz (Austria) in a double with less pressure. Because both bands knew that, at worst, they would “land” in the Conference League groups. And after the draw in the round, in Austria, score 1-1, the suspense was maintained for the return hosted by Stadionul Steaua.
The first half, in front of archipline tribunes, was largely balanced. Both teams had good chances, but the really big chances were wasted towards the end of the first 45 minutes. When Miculescu (43) and Florin Tănase (45) went wide to open the scoring, LASK Linz came close to striking, but Ljubičić (45+3) sent wide.
A monumental occasion for Daniel Popa
At halftime, the first moved “COACHGigi Becali: Băluță and Baba Alhassan left, Daniel Popa and Edjouma entered. The effect of these changes? A match in which FCSB had the initiative, about “confiscated” the ball, but without creating great opportunities.
It wasn’t until the 83rd minute that a great goal chance came. Olaru found Daniel Popa excellently, but his shot from inside the box was rejected in the corner by the captain of LASK Linz. Without this heroic intervention, FCSB would have been 1-0. After a few minutes, the Austrians had, in turn, a great opportunity, in the 89th minute, but Târnovanu made a save.
When everyone was preparing for the two extra periods, Darius Olaru took action on his own in the left lane and finished superbly with a shot under the crossbar (90+3). It ended 1-0 for FCSB in the second leg and 2-1 overall, and the Romanian champion is in the Europa League groups.
This qualification is worth 4,300,000 euros, a bonus that will be awarded by UEFA. In the groups, the victory means 450,000 euros, and the draw 150,000. FCSB will find out their Europa League schedule after Friday’s draw, as Adevărul explained here.
21,523
of spectators on Thursday, they attended the FCSB – LASK Linz match hosted by the Steaua Stadium.
Big Thursday for Romanian football
Europa League, play-off, return
FCSB – LASK Linz (Austria) 1-0 (1-1 in the round)
Conference League, play-off, return
Pafos (Cyprus) – CFR Cluj 3-0 (0-1 in the round)
When will the group stage games be played?
Europa League
*Stage 1: September 25/26
*2nd stage: October 3
*3rd stage: October 24
*4th stage: November 7
*5th stage: November 28
*Stage 6: December 12
*Stage 7: January 23
*Stage 8: January 30
