Article by Andrei Crăiţoiu, Sergiu Alexandru – published on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 22:54 / Updated Wednesday, August 27, 2025 22:54
FCSB and Craiova University will evolve on Thursday for a place in the groups of European competitions, being the Romanian teams with the highest chances of qualification, according to the good results obtained in the tour. Three former internationals analyzed the chances of the two bands to access in the Europa League, respectively Conference League.
Florin Gardoș, former defender of FCSB, Costel Pantilimon, goalkeeper with Poli Timișoara, Manchester City and Sunderland, as well as Cristi Pulhac, former left defender at Dinamo, prefaced the two matches with stake on the European evening.
The three believe that FCSB and Craiova University have important chances of accessing the European competition groups.
- FCSB-Aberdeen (2-2 in the tour) is played on Thursday in the Europa League play-off. The match starts at 9:30 pm and will be LiveText on GSP.ro, with real -time information from the National Arena, and live on ProTV. The winner goes into the group of him, the loser arrives in the Conference League group
- Craiova University-Istanbul Bașakșehir (3-2 in the tour) is played from 20:30. The match on “Ion Oblemenco” is LiveText on GSP.ro, with information from the stadium, and on TV is seen on Primasport and Digisport. The winner goes to the Conference League group
- CFR Cluj-Hacken (2-7 in the tour) starts at 20:30. E LiveText on GSP.ro and live on Primasport and Digisport. The winner goes to the Conference League group
VIDEO. Florin Gardoș: “I was more optimistic after the tour match”
– Florin, follow two important matches for Romanian football. What do you think will do FCSB and Craiova University?
– As for FCSB, I was more optimistic after the tour match. After the match in the championship lost with FC Argeș, I deflated a little. I hope that, having the audience in the back, we will increase our chances. On the other side, for Craiova University remains a difficult match, although it has won in the tour. I hope from the heart to qualify.
– What will wait for FCSB on return?
– Well, about the same things. Many side centering. There are things that the British excel. But Aberdeen did not impress me in the tour.
– What was the problem of FCSB in the tour?
– elimination of Cisotti. If it wasn't that red card, I don't think it was the same. I hope now FCSB approaches the different match. It was like there a team was a little too defensive.
– Is it a big loss?
– The lot is valuable. And, my opinion, Cisotti does not give the same efficiency on the left, where it has been used lately. But there are options.
– Would it be a disappointment for FCSB to play in Conference?
– I say yes. I know he regrets missing the Champions League play-off. It was a very good aisle. And Aberdeen is not a team that you do not pass. So it would be a very big disappointment.
-How can a locker room like the FCSB come back to a bad series of results and be prepared for such an important match?
– only from experience and value. He is an experienced locker room. The players must be mature and understand that only from the inside can the change come.
VIDEO. Costel Pantilimon: “Aberdeen is not a special team”
– Costel, do you see the chances of qualifying for FCSB and Craiova University?
– At the moment, both have very high chances. FCSB looked very good in the first part of the tour match. There were those moments when Aberdeen has scored and so have a chance, but it seems that FCSB finds its pace in European cups. Has the necessary force and can move on. Craiova University had a very good performance and dominated its opponent, quite obvious. It can also have the same evolution at home.
– What should FCSB should expect to return?
– Aberdeen is not a special team. It's a team that relies on the physical game. He tries to physically dominate his opponent at a high pace. But FCSB has experience, has managed much heavier matches and I think he can win categorically, especially since he will have the public on his side.
“What didn't go to the FCSB tour, unable to score?”
– That was the match … I can't say that FCSB was dominated. There were two phases of play. Maybe it was a lack of concentration, maybe with a better marking you could solve those phases. But I don't worry. I think both teams will qualify further.
VIDEO. Cristi Pulhac: “Even if I am a dynamo, I keep the fists of FCSB and Craiova”
I think both teams are likely to qualify. And even though I am a dynamo, I have always kept with the teams that played in the European cups, regardless of reality. We all should hold with these teams because they bring points for Romania, we can have important matches. We keep their fists! Both have chances but in football can happen
Cristi Pulhac, former international
