Article by Sergiu Alexandru – published Wednesday, August 13, 2025 23:41 / Updated Wednesday, August 13, 2025 23:41
Dan Petrescu, CFR Cluj's coach, prefaced the return with Braga, from the 3rd round of the Europa League.
- The winner will put in the play-off over the winner of the “double” Lincoln-Noah (1-2 in the tour). The loser will play against the losing match Hacken-Brann, in the Conference League play-off
The technician said that his students must be braver and pay more attention to the attack phase, and so they will have a chance of qualification, even if on Braga he sees her favorite.
How Dan Petrescu prefaced the match Braga – CFR Cluj
“We are accustomed to such matches. We have a very good opponent, with great quality. He will leave with the first chance, but in football we have seen the result. It will be very difficult, but not impossible. The players must believe in them and have more courage than in the tour match.
We need concentration and seriousness, not to make gifts in defense and be more attentive in the attack. We have our chance, even if the brag is favorite. But in football he does not always win the favorites. The free days were the best motivation after the tour match. Each one had two days off. I needed that. The players came fresher. I had 10 or 11 matches in 30 days. It was impossible to have free.
Braga allowed himself to leave 8 players outside the lot in the championship. And he still won. Those who played with us will do it again now. I mean, play from 7 to 7 days, not from 3 to 3. That says everything about the value of the lot! They will be better, more rest and more prepared. My players know what awaits them tomorrow. Braga will have the ball and will have the opportunities, but there have been surprises, and with Celtic, Lazio, with Rennes, “said Dan Petrescu.
Speaking of the arbitration in the tour, when CFR Cluj did not receive a penalty, Petrescu said: “It seems like all the episodes were against us. And that penalty … Braga has now received a penalty in the championship … A value referee must give what it is.
All the referees are wrong, but not to make it decisive. It is clear that the tour referee has taken us an advantage, but this is football. Maybe we'll be lucky for Pro CFR mistakes, but I don't think so. Let's hope for that too. I want not to make a mistake and have a good match, and the best to win. “
Munteanu was injured 2-3 days ago at training. I think and hope that it is minor injury and that he will return quickly to workouts. It's a big loss for us, I'm sorry it's not here.
– Dan Petrescu
