CFR Cluj beat Csikszereda » What chances does Pancu's team still have to get a place in the play-offs + Ranking

CFR Cluj has accumulated 23 points and still hopes, at least mathematically, for a place in the play-offs.

Chronicle by Marius Mărgărit, according to CFR Cluj – Csikszereda:

Finally, wearing the PRO flag, Daniel Pancu resumed, together with CFR Cluj, the series of the impossible mission “to catch the play-off”, on Friday evening, in Gruia, against those from Csikszereda, led by another ex-rapidist, Robert Ilyeș.

And the match started as expected: the hosts in clearly offensive and dominant positions, and the visitors in the trenches, ready to close everything.

Cordea and that's about it

But Louis Munteanu and Korenica gave the first signs of Gruia's hunger for points, and after them, in the 6th minute, goal scorer Andrei Cordea caused the table to change. With an execution from outside the box, a slightly modified copy of the success by which he brought 3 points in the dispute with Unirea Slobozia, from Clinceni.

It looked like a quiet ride for the “Railways”, whose possession exceeded 70% in the first quarter of an hour, as Csikszereda had not reached Hindrich's goal. However, in the shelter of the advantage, CFR lifted their feet from the accelerator, and the guests felt that there was room for more. Anyway, at 0-1, what else to defend?!

So Csikszereda recalibrated and began to appear more often in the opposing half, albeit without much danger. Louis Munteanu had another shot, at the end of a perfect launch by Keita, but the former “goleador” hit Pap's reflex.

Louis erupts out of nowhere

Both teams were building hard, from too many touches and returns to their own defenders, without intensity, without rhythm. A molcom, Transylvanian football, from which you would have expected more.

Active and present in the game, but as nervous as lately, Louis Munteanu broke the monotony when he “eared” referee Mladinovic from a distance.

And he didn't think twice and rewarded him with a warning. So, out of the blue, the striker erupted because he hadn't received a foul. Hindrich, meanwhile, had first time work on the visitors' only shot on goal. And in the end, after a corner, Matei Ilie only found the crossbar.

An innings without ingredients to give any flavor, except for Cordea's execution. Just a fragile 1-0, especially as things had gone.

Two more from Cordea

The second half started like the first, but fast forward. Palmeș missed an intervention, Cordea stole the ball and made the “double”. Only 14 seconds had passed since the restart of the match. Immediately, Vegh reached out to Hindrich more seriously. At 0-2, Csikszereda really had no reason to wait any longer. They went up the lines, with the Brazilian Ceara at the helm, but they couldn't give the feeling that they could somehow really get back into the game.

As CFR did not force either, the game returned to the coordinates of the first part: slow actions, few opportunities, even if the number of shots on goal could deceive you. Pancu noticed the team's offensive deadlock and moved: Emerllahu in place of Muhar. Technique instead of strength.

It's just that, a stroke of theatre, when Vereș's cross was deflected, Bodo took Sinyan's face and rekindled the hopes of the Chicuans. The people of Cluj probably remembered that even in the round match the team from Gruia seemed to have the game in hand and ended up tied at two in overtime.

Strange, but the home team had no reaction after the goal. Even the guests did not increase the pace for the comeback, the game becoming one of battle, between the two boxes, without anyone finding the solution to get out of the numbness. Neither Emerllahu nor Jebari brought any more clarity to their teams.

Time was running out in favor of the people of Cluj, who nevertheless went through great emotions at a new batch of Ceara, in great form. The Ciucanians insisted more, connected the passes, and CFR only played long, with balls thrown for Louis Munteanu, who was also deleted more and more.

A gray penalty

Only at the end, the guests, more courageous, left the feeling of dominance, but without enough strength to pull out at least a draw. And in a duel in the box, Celic completely took Biliboc, causing a penalty for which Mladenovici was called to the VAR screen. And the referee stood by his original decision, although replays revealed the defender had played the ball.

As Louis Munteanu was no longer on the field, Cordea assumed the execution and made the triple, reaching the 8th place in the scorers' ranking. Undeterred, CFR ticked off another win and moved closer to FCSB, who have a game in hand. The play-off race continues. And the Cicuani, too good in Gruia, remain only with the illusion that, at 1-2, they could have done more. But maybe they didn't believe it either.

FINAL » CFR Cluj – Csikszereda 3-1

CFR Cluj – Csikszereda, the starting teams

CFR Cluj (4-3-3): Otto Hindrich – Kun, Sinyan, M. Ilie, Camora – Muhar, Fică, Keita – Cordea, L. Munteanu, Korenica
Reserves: Valceanu, Gal, Abeid, Coco, Kresic, Djokovic, Emerllahu, Paun, Sfaiț, Biliboc, Deac, Cernigoi
Coach: Daniel Pancu

Csikszereda (4-2-3-1): Pap – Gal Andrezly, Palmeș, Paszka – Vegh, Vereș – Anderson, Dusinszki, Bodo – Szalay
Reserves: M. Simon, Ferenczi, Brugger, Bloj, Karacsony, Toth, Jebari, Csuros, Noveli, Bencze, Gergely, Bakos
Coach: Robert Ilyes

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