At the debut of Portuguese coach Filipe Coelho (44 years old), University of Craiova beat her away on FC Argesscore 2-1, in the 17th stage of the Superliga.
Attacker Monday Etim (26 years old) was MVP. The American created the first goal scored by Baiaram and scored for 2-1. All the successes came in the first half.
Chronicle by Eduard Apostol after FC Argeș – Universitatea Craiova 1-2: Medicine after a cold
FC Argeș is the kind of team you wouldn't want as your first opponent as a foreign coach on your debut with the new formation. It is unpredictable, sharp, it is very difficult to score goals, especially on the Mioveni exile field, and to score goals is a commando mission.
Practically, at the “baptism” of Filipe Coelho, the people from Pitesti and Craiova were neighbors in the ranking. In the conditions in which the Oltenians pumped approximately 4 million euros in transfers, and the Argesians are newly promoted to the Superliga.
The first official details, with Coelho on the bench, would be the fact that he switched to four defenders in defense, 4-2-3-1, and Anzor Mekvabishvili was (re)activated, one of the players with serious numbers, but who did not fit into Mirel Rădoi's tactical plan.
Craiova has, as before, moments of grace from the middle upwards, but also suffers in the defensive phase.
Anyway, the Portuguese integrated well into the landscape here: it was the 14th minute when he revealed his displeasure in front of the reserve referee about a phase. Otherwise, he's just as expansive as his predecessor, running around the sideline with his students, talking a lot to Bancu and the other players who approach the bench area.
Craiova kept the image of a team that wants to come out elegantly from the defensive, only that Bogdan Andone's students are among those who accept the challenge, the tough duels and keep their distance from the opponent.
Attention, high-impact goals, on the conveyor belt!
The hosts had the ball in the first half hour, they put pressure, but they didn't produce anything, and the Juves resisted. The first noteworthy opportunity of the white-blues was, logically, how it was played, after a fixed phase. Al Hamlawi (28) resumed strongly, from a very good position, missing the target.
At least it was the phase that awakened the courage in the people of Craiova. They insisted and scored. After a phase where the small details produced the big hit. Baluță worked with an exceptional pass to Etim (his “stop” was remarkable!), he passed it short to Baiaram (34), who needed two shots to open the scoring.
The state of fulfillment did not last long. The people of Pitesti responded with style. They punished Bania's stupid defense with a sharp phase, Isenko took out only for the moment, for Matos (38) to offer a pearl, goal with the heel from the small box!
In order for everything to continue on the line of the show, Etim (43) completed his top half with a shot from the center of the box that cut off all the momentum of the Argesans. Both Straton and the Pythians remained pinned down.
Craiova resisted the pressure, Isenko and Bancu played with the hearts of the Oltenians
The University of Craiova has gained the confidence that it can. Baiaram (51) had a good opportunity from the central area. The Oltenians wanted to push the game as far as possible from their own possessions. To avoid emotions, knowing why the people of Pythia are in a state.
Anzor (55) mocked a perfect Etim cross, kicked a huge chance from a few steps out. But Argesul refused to fall. Bettaieb (56) could have scored a spectacular goal, but Isenko arched flawlessly.
The game has moved into the danger zone for the Jews. However, somehow, somehow, the guests resisted. Isenko played with the hearts of the blue-whites. The pressure increased. Craiova defended overcrowded, pulling with teeth for the result.
In the last ten minutes, the situation balanced out. The people of Argesen lost their breath, after attacks that did not reach their target. Waiting for a final forcing. The Oltenians moved to the neutral zone, from where to launch an attack that would close the game.
Bancu (86) put his hands to his head, sensing what could have been if he put the ball into his own goal after Bettaieb's cross. Very important success of Craiova, dressing!
FINAL » FC Arges – University Craiova 1-2
- bullets: Ricardo Matos 39' / Stefan Baiaram 33', Monday Etim 43'
- HERE, information about the match + the history of direct duels
- 3,700 spectators (official figure)
- The match started with a moment of silence in memory of Doru Toma, former emblematic player at FC Argeș, team manager at the club. He died at the age of 68.
PHOTO GALLERY. The most spectacular images from FC Argeș – University of Craiova
FC Argeș – Universitatea Craiova, starting teams:
FC Arges (4-4-2): Straton – Borța, M. Tudose, Sadriu, Briceag – D. Oancea, R. Popescu, Sierra, Bettaieb – Caio, R. Matos
reserves: D. Lazar, Tofan, Garutti, Orozco, Takayuki, Rață, Blagaic, I. Radescu, R. Moldoveanu, Tchassem, Y. Pîrvu, A. Marin
Coach: Bogdan Andone
Craiova University (4-2-3-1): Isenko – Mogoș, A. Rus, Romanchuk, N. Bancu – T. Baluta, Mekvabishvili – Etim, D. Matei, Baiaram – Al Hamlawi
reserves: S. Lung, L. Popescu, F. Stefan, Stevanovic, Badelj, Fălcușan, Teles, I. Muntean, Houri, Băsceanu, A. Crețu
Coach: Filipe Coelho
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Coelho changes the game system at the debut on the Olten bench. He runs a four-back system. Mirel Rădoi, the former technician from Bănie, used a system with three central defenders.
Stadium: Townspeople, Mioveni
Referee: Rareș George Vidican (Satu Mare) / A1: Ioan Alexandru Corb (Satu Mare) / A2: Alexandru Vodă (Alba Iulia) / VAR Referee: Iulian Dima (Bucharest) / Referee AVAR: Vasile Marinescu (Bucharest) / R1: Sorin Vădana (Cluj-Napoca) / Referees Observer: Cristian Nica (Ploiesti)
UPDATE 19:50 » Filipe Coelho, shortly before his debut on the bench of the University of Craiova
UPDATE 19:40 » Images from the warm-up of the two teams
UPDATE 19:08 » FC Argeș has also arrived
After a short time, the ones from FC Argeș also arrived. Several supporters were waiting for Bogdan Andone and the players.
UPDATE 19:06 » Former selector Edi Iordănescu made his appearance at Mioveni
Edi Iordănescu, the former Romanian coach free of contract after parting with Legia, is at Mioveni. GSP sources say he wants to find a team abroad again. He had dialogue with the FRF in Warsaw and now, but he wants to train abroad.
He wanted to leave Legia twice, only the third time he managed to break the contract. He came to the match because he is close friends with Dani Coman and Daniel Stanciu, the hosts' officials.
Those close to Edi Iordănescu say that he does not want to speak so as not to be interpreted as anything other than his desire to find a project abroad. He got into an internal conflict at Legia, and the players wanted to continue with him.
He prefers to just be a spectator at Romania's matches, that's why he avoided coming to the stadium. Dani Coman and Daniel Stanciu, his friends, hardly convinced him to come to Mioveni.
UPDATE 19:05 » Dani Coman, the president of FC Argeș, statements before the match with Craiova
“We will adapt to the Novak Law. So far we are fine. We have quality foreign players. We tried to bring quality, not quantity. We don't have the ability to bring in players on high wages or buy players.
We are looking for players free of contract, and the selection is more difficult. We are trying to keep up with the top teams in the championship. Craiova is a team with quality players, they are fighting for the first places, but I believe in my boys and I hope for a victory”, said Dani Coman, for GSP.ro. More details, HERE.
UPDATE 19:00 » Olteni have arrived at the stadium
He arrived in Craiova. Toni Petrea, second from Olten, came down last and hugged Dani Coman, the president of the hosts.
UPDATE 13:55 | At the match with “Linia Vulturilor”
As with the other matches played at home, the “purple eagles” provide supporters with a special line that fans can use to get from Pitesti to Mioveni. The bus with the suggestive name “Vultures Line” it starts at 7:30 p.m. from the Muntenia Hotel parking lot, and only ticket or season ticket holders can board it, within the limits of available seats.
UPDATE 09:05 | On the day of the match, FC Argeș lost Doru Toma forever
Doru Toma, former emblematic player at FC Argeș, currently the club's competition organizer, died at the age of 68, on the very day of the match with Craiova.
Former emblematic midfielder in Trivale, extremely devoted to the colors white and purple, Doru Toma held the position of team manager at FC Argeș, working as a competition organizer. In December 2024, he symbolically kicked off the match between FC Argeș and FC Botoșani. “Nea Tomiță”, as those close to him knew him, was then given a personalized T-shirt with his name and number 3.
Doru Toma played over 200 matches at FC Argeș, in which he scored 7 times. He also made 6 European Cup appearances, including memorable matches against Nottingham, Valencia and Panathinaikos, and was part of the team that won the title in 1978/79.
Doru Toma passed away
