Marius Croitoru named the cause of FCSB's collapse: “That's what I'm thinking” + He coached Duarte and reveals: “This is where he differs from Ngezana”

Defeated also by Red Star Belgrade, although it evolved for more than an hour in numerical superiority, FCSB is going through one of the most delicate moments in recent years.

The champion can no longer find her rhythm, she is currently out of the play-off places, she is “gasping” in Europe and the legitimacy of the Charalambous – Pintilii tandem, in relation to her own dressing room, began to be questioned.

Marius Croitoru, who scanned the match in Belgrade and the last performances of the red-blues, is of the opinion that FCSB suffers including in one of the chapters in which it excelled until recently: physical combativeness.

Marius Croitoru, about the “labyrinth” he entered FCSB: “I wasn't thinking! I expected him to surpass what he did last year”

“It's normal to be upset at FCSB. Honestly, people expected a much better course. In a way, they were bound by the course they had last year. And we, those who watch football, were waiting for more.

We were not thinking about the current situation, I mean also the championship and Europe… I expected it to have an evolution, if not as good, even better! Last year, they raised a bar difficult to reach, scored a lot of points, played very good matches, not to mention the championship. Unfortunately, it was not so.

Regarding yesterday's game, you play with an extra man and you think you can win… Unfortunately, the good match made in Switzerland in numerical inferiority was not repeated here with an extra man. Relaxation probably also intervened, until then (no until removal) it was a balanced match.

If Cisotti was able to score on that bar he had, it sure would have been something else. The Red Star would have had nothing to lose and it was clear that the spaces would have become even bigger. They took the goal a little too lightly”, remarked Marius Croitoru, in dialogue with GSP.ro.

About Ngezana: “Frustration sets in when private life gets in the way of sports”

The coach also commented on the “eclipse” of Ngezana's form, transformed into the favorite scapegoat of the people of Bucharest.

“You know why I'm getting into his head? Because he's been developing very well, he's been at a good level… His performances now, his repeated mistakes, which have led to goals being conceded, you can see and everyone is now taking stock. He's going through a bad period, probably those over there know exactly why.

If what happens to him is because of this (no extrasportive causes)it's normal to bother! Those who know exactly what is going on in his life are better placed to comment. It can be seen in the field!

Life outside of sports doesn't become annoying as long as you do your job on the field. But when things aren't OK on the field, it's clear that frustration sets in that private life is confusing the sporting one, hence the disappointment.

When you make a mistake and score, it shows from the plane. However, let's not think now that Ngezana is a bad player.”

Marius Croitoru/ photo: Imago Images

“The world knows how things are at FCSB…” + “Maybe the problem is physical!”

Even if the owner Gigi Becali reproached himself, more or less veiled, for having violated the authority of the coaches, Marius Croitoru says that the footballers of the champion were anyway aware of the state of affairs at FCSB:

“The world knows exactly how things are at FCSB. I don't think things would change overnight and that the locker room should be lost when you know how things are, everyone knows them, they are very clear.

I don't think any player has any shock a week from now if they find out that they are playing or not playing… I don't think the footballers think that the dressing room has been lost. From the outside, yes, the world can tell that the players are no longer responding to commands. From my point of view, I don't think this is a problem.

The problem is that an atypical preparation was made in the summer, there were also national competitions, the players came later. Something must have been lost… That's what I'm thinking, I think it would be the main cause.

When you end up playing every 3 days, it's very hard to work on the physical part. And you end up saying that you get your training from matches, but some play, others don't. The only uniform measure you can have against everyone is the training period.

Croitoru made Duarte's profile: “They fold according to their style”

Asked about the prospects of the Portuguese Duarte at FCSB, whom he trained for 13 matches at FCU Craiova, Croitoru believes that

“At the time, Duarte was one of the best central defenders in Romania. Everyone saw, that was the reality. I don't know how they didn't manage to get him then.

He is a good strong player who has certain qualities for FCSB. Has speed, size, it comes from a football, the Portuguese one, which is adept at possession. When I brought him in, I had a choice between him and a player from Italy. And I preferred him…

I was talking to nea Adi (No. Mititelu) on the phone, he asked me which one I wanted and I said: “I want the Portuguese, because he was 23-24 years old and comes from a football closer to the one we play, which I used to play”.

Andre Duarte // PHOTO: Imago

Even though the Italian had more experience, I preferred Duarte. He is an interesting player, very good from my point of view. That's why I say I'm surprised they didn't take him when he was free. He was a FCSB player ever since. They fold on their style. He's a little different to Ngezana, he's much better with the ball at his feet,” Croitou added.