Fabulous performance in Csikszereda – CFR Cluj: the match was decided by a “Panenka” in the 90th+9th minute

VARIOUS and bitter

Csikszereda – CFR Cluj, preamble for the return of the Superliga. It was not played in the heat of summer, but close to sub-zero temperatures. Two teams with an identical course in the last five stages, four consecutive draws followed by a win before the competitive break, offered, on a Thursday rather dedicated to the Europa & Conference League, a duel with enough stakes and flavor to hold a headline spot.

The irony of fate: CFR had postponed the game for a possible qualification in the groups of a continental competition, and finally the desire to play “on Thursday” came true.

Colorful half in the heart of Harghita

The start of the game? Dynamic, alive. Lorand Paszka warmed up Hindrich in the 2nd minute with a listless shot from the edge of the box. Then, CFR entered its role: Sinyan and Louis Munteanu had monumental chances in the 6th and 7th minutes, with Eduard Pap – perhaps the best goalkeeper in the Superliga! – at the station.

“Railways” continued to put pressure, and the goal was not delayed. In the 17th minute, Louis Munteanu took advantage of a stutter in the opposing defense, recovered the ball 30 meters from the goal and passed it brilliantly, between the legs of Hegedus, to Andrei Cordea, who had to fulfill a simple formality.

But Csikszereda did not disarm. On the contrary, the pressure was constant at Hindrich's goal, while CFR was also looking for the second goal, the closest in the 31st minute, with Andrei Cordea's deceptive shot. The perfect recipe for a spectacular match: after half an hour, 12 shots had already been taken, 7 of which were on goal!

In the eighth, the goal came, this time for Robert Ilyeș's boys. Lorand Paszka sent an excellent free kick into the box, and Marton Eppel, a 33-year-old Hungarian striker, rose above the Cluj defenders and sent the ball into the net. The first goal in the Super League, the sixth in total, after the five successes in the hallucinatory match with FC Voluntari in the Romanian Cup. After almost five minutes, the confirmation came from the VAR room: goal, 1-1.

Slimani, angel & demon

CFR Cluj, without the offensive appetite from the first half. Ocazie Șfaiț at the beginning of the second half, but the cherry-white band was not coherent in expression. And Mandorlini felt it, evidenced by the changes of Cordea, Păun and Şfaiț: Korenica, Emerllahu and Biliboc entered, basic people in Gruia.

The moves had the intended effect, The CFR stepping up its offensive efforts. The Ciucanians had given up possession, but the Transylvanians suffered in finishing: no shot on goal in the first 25 minutes of the second half.

However, CFR needed only one. A few tens of seconds after entering the field, Islam Slimani opened his accounts in the Super League! Perfectly launched deep by Emerllahu, held in play by Ferenczi and coming face to face with Pap, the Algerian finished with his CV rather than his foot. The shot was not excellent, but it was enough: 2-1 for CFR, and the former striker from Sporting, Leicester, Newcastle or Lyon gets his name on the score sheet.

After Slimani's success, Biliboc and Sinyan were very close to closing the match for goodbut their misses gave the Hammers a chance to stay in the game.

What a finish!

And the hammers were one step away from taking advantage: Csikszereda started the siege at the Transylvanian goal, and in the 86th minute, Hegedus sent the ball into the net. The joy of the guests was short-lived, George Găman controversially canceled the success. The phase could not be checked by VAR, as the referee had blown his whistle before the ball entered the goal.

Immediately after that tense phase, Slimani had the opportunity to score his 'doppietta', but he wasted incredibly, alone with Pap from an ideal position.

And “Eppel” was one step away from “double” and restoring equality, also after a fixed phase, in overtime, followed by Biliboc's miss.

But this was not the end. Ciucani received a penalty, awarded after a long VAR analysis. Two Transylvanian players tackled a “rossoner” in the box, and George Găman, who initially did not notice the contact, showed the point with lime, after seeing the replays on the monitor.

Lorand Paszka took responsibility for the execution. And how he assumed it: “Panenka” in the 90th+9th minute, another “X” for Csikszereda and another reason why Mandorlini will not make his Christmas tree in Cluj.

Csikszereda – CFR Cluj 2-2

Minute 90+9: Csikszereda GOAL! Lorand Paskza scores from the penalty spot, with an extraordinary technique, “Panenka”!

The 86th minute: Hegedus scores, but George Găman cancels the success for an alleged foul by Eppel on Hindrich, wrongly dictated! The phase was not checked in the VAR room due to the fact that the referee had blown his whistle before the moment of success.
The 71st minute: CFR Cluj GOAL! A few tens of seconds after entering the field, Islam Slimani manages to score. Excellently launched deep by Emerllahu, who also entered the second half, beat Pap in a one-on-one situation, being held in the game by Ferenczi.

The 34th minute: Csikszereda GOAL! Marton Eppel scores with a header after an excellent free kick by Lorand Paszka. The goal was validated according to the indications from the VAR room. Initially, the success was canceled by George Găman on the grounds of offside.
Minute 17: CFR Cluj GOAL! After a brilliant pass by Louis Munteanu, between the legs of an opponent, Cordea is left with a simple formality to fulfill – goal with an empty goal, from six meters.

• HERE, the most important details and statistics about the match.

• The stadium is sold out, 1988 spectators are present in the stands of the small arena in Harghita. It is very cold – the thermometers show only 3 degrees at game time.

• The duel was preceded by a moment of silence in memory of Flavius ​​Domide, the legendary football player of UTA Arad, two-time champion with the “textilists”, who died on October 11, at the age of 79.

Csikszereda – CFR Cluj, starting teams:

Csikszereda (4-2-3-1): Pap – Paszka, Celic, Hegedus, Ferenczi – Vegh, Veres (Dusinszki '83) – Anderson, Bodo (Bakos '64), Szalay (Jebari '64) – Eppel
Unused reserves: Mate – Bloj, Kajan, Dolny, Szilágyi, Gal Andrezly, Palmes, Gergely, Csuros
Coach: Robert Ilyes

CFR Cluj (4-3-3): Hindrich – Coco, Sinyan, M.Ilie, Camora – Paun (Emerllahu '51), T. Keita, Djokovic (Slimani '70) – Cordea (Korenica '51), L. Munteanu, Şfaiț (Biliboc '51)
Unused reserves: Gal, Vâlceanu – Gyorgy, Zouma, Kresic, Perianu, Ciubăncan, Cernigoi
Coach: Andrea Mandorlini

Referee: George Gaman
ASSISTANT: Alexandru Filip and Daniel Mitruți
Book: Lucian Rusandu
VAR referee: Sorin Costreie
Assistant VAR: Claudio Marcu
Observer: Nicolae Marodin

After a disappointing start to the season, in which they also lost qualification in the groups of a European competition, with Dan Petrescu and Cristi Balaj leaving Gruia, CFR Cluj shows signs of waking up.

After four consecutive draws, came the first victory of the cherry-whites, in the previous stage, 2-1 against Hermannstadt. A success today would bring the team closer to the last play-off spot, occupied by Unirea Slobozia, just three points away.

On the other hand, Csikszereda was also going through a better period before the break imposed by the national teams: four consecutive draws and a victory with “U” Cluj, the first in history at Superliga level, just like CFR.

Csikszereda – CFR Cluj, the most important details, provided by GSP statistician Liviu Manolache:

• The Ciucanians are going through the best period since the promotion in the premiere on the first stage, they are undefeated in the last five rounds, during which they recorded four draws and one victory (October 4, FK Csikszereda-U Cluj 2-1).

• CFR prevailed in the previous round, 2-1 against FC Hermannstadt, and ended a negative streak consisting of six draws and three defeats.

• The Brazilian Anderson 'Ceará' is among the highlights of this season, alongside the midfielder of the team from Miercurea Ciuc, having recorded five offensive contributions (two goals, three decisive assists).

• Cluj scored six headed goals, the most of all competitors.

• 12 of the 23 goals scored by Robert Ilyeș's students were scored in the first half. On the other side, CFR Cluj conceded a goal in each stage.

• 27 players used the hammers in the current championship, of which 24 debuted in the Super League during the current season.

• CFR Cluj is the formation that relied on the most players, 35 footballers ticking off at least one presence in the current edition.

How the Superliga standings look like: