Article by Sergiu Alexandru – published on Friday, July 25, 2025, 00:39 / Updated on Friday, July 25, 2025 00:42
After Lugano-CFR Cluj, 0-0, coach Dan Petrescu congratulated his players and said he was expecting a complicated match in the return from Cluj.
The Transylvanian technician said he is not upset with Karlo Muhar for the penalty missed in the 10th minute and that he believes that the return of next Thursday will be as balanced.
VIDEO. Dan Petrescu's conclusions after Lugano – CFR Cluj
“Of course I am satisfied. If you said before the game it would end 0-0, considering that we play synthetic, in the rain, with some balls that are not as we want and with a very valuable opponent … But when you miss a penalty and you have other opportunities to mark, you think about victory.
But in the end, we have to be satisfied with this 0-0. Over 7 days will be a very hard match again, Unfortunately, at each match we lose one or two players. At this rate, it will be very difficult for us to focus on the championship and European cups. Today, Muhar came out hit. I am upset about him injured, not that he missed penalty. It's a start of bad luck for us, but we hope to get over.
Lugano dominated, had possession, but it was hard to find breaches. It can be seen that it has quality players. But I congratulate my players for how they gave themselves and did what they needed. I am convinced that it will be very difficult on the grass. If we have all the players available, on return the chances are 50-50. Let's see what it will be. In Europe you can no longer say that there are favorites, “said Dan Petrescu at the press conference.
We made a very good tactical game. I knew the opponent would cause us problems, but we were very good at the tactical level. Unfortunately, we couldn't mark that penalty. That's it, it happens! We have to go further. We have 90 minutes or more. If we play as tactically well and mark, I think we will qualify.
It's a positive result. It was the weather, it was the hard land. The team made a very good match. In Cluj we have to mark the opportunities we will have. In Europe, you have to mark at least once on two occasions. We have to defend ourselves as well. This match gives us confidence that it is possible and that it is possible to qualify. It would be good to come as many supporters to help us and push us from behind. And together to qualify further.
– Mario Camora
