FCSB advances to Europa League round of 32
Romanias vice-champions FCSB have qualified to the round of last 32 in Europa League following Thursdays matches
Mihai Pelin, 03.11.2017, 13:31
For the second year in a row, a Romanian football club gets through the Europa League main group phase. Whereas last year Astra Giurgiu qualified to the round of 32 for the first time in its history, this year it was time for Romanias vice-champions FCSB, formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, to step up to the challenge.
On Thursday evening, on National Arena stadium in Bucharest, FCSB drew 1-all against visiting side Hapoel Beer Sheva of Israel, in a match counting towards the fourth fixture of Group G. In front of a 25,000-strong crowd, the two teams put on an impressive display of football in what was a game of concurrent scoring opportunities but also a few harsh tackles.
While the Israeli coach Barak Bakhar told the post-match press conference that Florinel Comans early goal on minute 31 “came out of nowhere, he nevertheless praised his trainees for managing to come back from behind and score the equalizer. The result reflects the reality in the field, Bakhar pointed out.
At halftime coach Nicolae Dica sent in the seasoned Portuguese player Teixeira to replace an inexperienced Denis Man, and FCSB was close to scoring the second goal on minute 52. Teixeira sprinted on the left wing, passed the ball to Budescu who shot at the goal, but defender Elo denied the goal by handling the ball. The Turkish referee ruled otherwise, and waved game-on.
The unawarded penalty kick ruined Budescus night who said a win would have made him really happy. Coach Nicolae Dica said FCSB qualifying to the next phase is normal, despite his team failing to win. Undergoing his first spell as headcoach, Dica celebrated this important win with the team. The evenings most momentous event was Denis Alibec leaving the pitch in tears after being substituted on minute 69 and booed by fans.
Considered one of the most valuable Romanian strikers at present, Alibecs performance on Thursday was lackluster. There is however a secret reason behind Alibecs nervous breakdown on the substitute bench. The teams financier George Becali insisted Alibec be included in the first lineup, as several scouts and agents were in the stands to watch him play. Therefore Alibec was sent in from minute 1, instead of the French first-team regular forward Harlem Gnohere, whos scored seven goals in the last four matches.
Pressure was piling up on Alibecs shoulders, and it was simply not his night. With two games still to play, FCSB ranks first in the group tables with 10 points, followed by Viktoria Plzen of the Czech Republic with 6 points, Hapoel Beer Sheva of Israel and FC Lugano of Switzerland, each with 3 points. FCSB will next take on Viktoria Plezen on November 23 away from home and on Lugano on December 7. To qualify from the top position FCSB needs to win the next match, which will allow it to be drawn against lower-tier clubs in the round of 32.
