Article by George Nistor – Published Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 3:50 p.m. / Updated Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 3:51 p.m.
Daniel Graovac and Mihai Lixandru formed the couple of central defenders of those from FCSB, in the narrow victoryscore 2-0, with Unirea Slobozia, played on Monday, in Clinceni. The two recorded excellent numbers, worthy of an experienced core of defenders and well-welded playing relationships.
As a central midfielder with a defensive profile, Lixandru (24 years old) was tried several times as a stopper, in borderline situations, when Ngezana and Dawa were unavailable to the team. Last night, he scored the team's first goal.
On the other hand, the 32-year-old Bosnian was transferred in July with reserve status. A central defender by trade, Graovac has so far made 13 appearances in the current edition of the championship, taking advantage of the personnel problems.
Mihai Lixandru and Daniel Graovac, top figures in Unirea Slobozia – FCSB
In the match of the 20th round of the Superliga, Graovac and Lixandru had remarkable defensive developments, evident also through the prism of Wyscout statistics.
Among all the players present on the field, the two integralists recorded the best percentages in terms of successful actions: 84% – Lixandru, respectively 87% – Graovac.
They also impressed in terms of passing accuracy, with their efficiency reaching 92% and 94%, being surpassed only by Malcom Edjouma, introduced at half-time. Additionally, the duo won 58% of their game duels.
It was not the first time that Charalambous called on the pair Lixandru – Graovac. He used them throughout the duel with Farul, from Ovidiu, two stages ago, at the end of which FCSB won 2-1. Ngezana was then left on the bench after the South African reportedly asked not to play.
10Mihai Lixandru made recoveries in Unirea Slobozia – FCSB, one of which in the opposing half
17checked Daniel Graovac. More than “Lix” and in the opposing field – 4
What the Wyscout report recorded
|
Parameter |
Mihai Lixandru |
Daniel Graovac |
|
Minutes played |
97 |
97 |
|
Actions/Successes |
112/97 |
109/92 |
|
Shots/on goal |
1/1 |
– |
|
Duels/wins |
6/10 |
9/16 |
|
Losses/own half |
4/8 |
2/6 |
|
Rebounds/opposing half |
1/10 |
4/17 |
|
Interceptions |
1 |
3 |
“Mister” and Pinti (no – Elias Charalambous and Mihai Pintilii) came and said they had prepared something for me in the corner. They deserve much more appreciation. For us all the points are important now. We are only thinking about the play-offs. We hope to get as close to the end of the year as possible. The land doesn't help us much here, in Clinceni, neither the lawn nor the dimensions. It's much easier for them, because they defend themselves. We passed a lot, sometimes into the goal, but we knew it was only a matter of time before we would score because the ball was only ours.
– Mihai Lixandru, FCSB
