FCSB announce that they will throw the “good team” into the fray, needing at least a point to sit back ahead of their final group games, where they will face Hoffenheim, Qarabag and Manchester United.
Daniel Bîrligea, the champion’s goalkeeper
Regarding the lot value, the difference is enormous. Almost three times higher, in favor of the Greeks. According to transfermarkt, Olympiakos has a market share of 105.65 million euros. 2.8 times higher than that of FCSB, the Romanian champion being quoted at 36.85 million.
Bîrligea, the goal hope of the “red-blues”
A massive attendance of fans is announced for the game with the Hellenes. More than 40,000 spectators are expected at the “National Arena”.
With 30 games played in Europe this season, FCSB have heavy legs. They are still trembling for the place in the play-off, only the 5th place in the Superliga, below the two teams from Cluj, Craiova and Dinamo. The last performance in the championship, 3-0 with Unirea Slobozia, is not edifying, especially since it came after a 0-1 with FC Botoșani.
All offensive hopes are placed in Daniel Bîrligea. The striker who confirmed for the national team did not need accommodation in the Capital, after arriving from CFR Cluj and has already winked at some Western groups. He has a release clause of 15 million euros, but it is hard to believe that he will leave the Romanian champions by the summer.
Boss Gigi Becali reconsidered his position towards Vlad Chiricheș, whom he wanted to expel in the summer.
Willian, the star of the Greeks
The bookmakers indicate Olympiakos with the first chance to win. The team from the Athenian port of Piraeus is the leader in the domestic championship (24 points in 12 games, one more than the champion PAOK and two more than Panathinaikos), but they are “hungry” for points in Europe. The last results are 4-1 with AEK Athens and 3-2 with PAOK Thessaloniki. In Europe, they drew 1-1 with Glasgow Rangers and have only 7 points after 4 games, being in 12th place. The last failure dates back to October 27, 0-1 with Asteras.
The coach of the team is an experienced Spaniard Luis Jose Mendilibar, with experiences in La Liga, at teams such as Sevilla, Alaves, Osasuna, Valladolid or Athletic Bilbao. The star of the team is Willian (36 years old), former player at Chelsea, launched by Mircea Lucescu at Shakhtior Donetsk. The attack also contains names such as the Ukrainian Roman Yaremciuk and the Turkish Yusuf Yazic.
FCSB’s schedule in the Europa League
September 26 – FCSB – FC RFS 4-1
October 3 – PAOK FC – FCSB 0-1
October 24 – Rangers FC – FCSB 4-0
November 7 – FCSB – FC Midtjylland 2-0
November 28 – FCSB – Olympiacos FC – 22:00
December 12 – TSG Hoffenheim – FCSB – 19:45
January 23 – Qarabag FK – FCSB – 19:45
January 30 – FCSB – Manchester United – 22:00
