“But who are Feyenoord actually playing?”

Before the match, the Dutch media focused not only on the sports analysis, but also on the conflict between FCSB and CSA Steaua, pointing out that Feyenoord is preparing to meet “a club whose identity is disputed”.

The Dutch, intrigued: “Many football fans consider FCSB as the former Steaua Bucharest”

The Dutch publications presented the case extensively, pointing out that most fans in Europe perceive the red-blues as the former Steaua, but the legal reality is different:

“Which club will the Rotterdam team actually play against?” Many football fans think of FCSB as the former Steaua Bucharest, the team that knocked Ajax out of the Europa League on penalties in 2013 and previously played against FC Twente, FC Utrecht, SC Heerenveen and PSV in Europe. However, the situation is a little different.

Journalists spoke about the identity dispute:

Initially, Steaua was owned by the Romanian army, as the club was founded by the Ministry of National Defence. This was common practice for Eastern European clubs at the time. However, in 1998, the Romanian government gave up the football section of Stella. Romania was no longer a communist country, and poverty was widespread, so the government no longer wanted to invest in Steaua.

Finally, in 2003, the club ended up in the controversial hands of George Becalia businessman and Romanian nationalist politician. From that moment on, the problems started,” noted voetbalprimeur.nl.

The Dutch quoted Adi Popa: “There is no connection between Steaua and FCSB”

The Batavian press invoked the former footballer from FCSB, but also the current player of Stella, Adi Popa, who spoke at the beginning of the year for The Athletic:

“There is no relationship between Steaua and FCSB. We can't call it a war, but they don't respect court rulings. The star belongs to the country, it was not legal to sell it.”

Popa also spoke about the popularity of the FCSB champion: “For years I thought it was a misunderstanding, but after the court's decision it was clear to me who is who.”
The former midfielder wants a head-to-head match between the two: “I would really like to play against FCSB. I would play that match and retire immediately.“

Decisive match at the National Arena

FCSB still hopes for the European spring. It is 3 points from the 24th place, the last one that leads to the play-off for the eighth. But for that, Elias Charalambous's side have to get past Feyenoord, despite the absences from the squad.

FCSB Europa League results so far:

• 1-0 with Go Ahead Eagles

• 0-2 with Young Boys

• 1-2 with Bologna

• 1-3 with FC Basel

• 0-1 with Red Star

Feyenoord results:

• 3-1 with Panathinaikos

• 0-1 with Braga

• 0-2 with Aston Villa

• 0-2 with Stuttgart

• 1-3 with Celtic