What chances does FCSB still have to catch the play-off for the Europa League round of 16: it is NOT impossible!
Article by Adrian Jitea, Romeo Ene – Published Thursday, January 22, 2026 23:57 / Updated Friday, January 23, 2026 00:00
Dinamo Zagreb – FCSB 4-1. The Romanian champion lost in Croatia, but still has a chance to qualify for the play-off for the competition's last eight.
The team coached by Elias Charalambous needed at least 4 points in the matches against Dinamo Zagreb and Fenerbahce to be sure of qualification. Now, it depends on several results.
All are conditional on a win with Fenerbahce. FCSB – Fenerbahce takes place on Thursday, January 29, 22:00 at the National Arena.
Calculations: how FCSB qualify for the play-offs for the Europa League round of 16 » Low odds
To qualify for the next stage, FCSB must beat Fenerbahce. It would reach 9 points, but it would not be enough. Should the planets align and the following results occur:
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Celtic to lose to Utrecht or draw, but FCSB's goal difference should be better than the Glasgow outfit.
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Ludogorets not to win at home with Nice.
Next comes a series of teams with 6 points each, just like FCSB. They can even win, as long as they have a goal difference lower than the Romanian champion, who has a goal difference of -7: Feyenoord (-3), FC Basel (-3), Salzburg (-4), Go Ahead Eagles (-8).
FCSB is currently in 29th place in the Europa League main group with 6 points after 7 matches. Celtic, occupying the 24th place, the last one to qualify for the play-off, has 8. The failure with Dinamo Zagreb was the number 5 in this competition.
The results obtained by FCSB in the main group of the Europa League
Ranking in the main Europa League group
