Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Friday, January 30, 2026, 00:31 / Updated Friday, January 30, 2026 00:48
Mihai Stoichiță (71 years old), the technical director of the Romanian Football Federation, analyzed the performance FCSB after the draw with Fenerbahce, score 1-1in the last stage of the single group in the Europa League. Although the red-blues were eliminated from the competition, the FRF official believes that the performance provided can represent a turning point for Elias Charalambous' team.
In a telephone intervention during the GSP Live show, Stoichiță declared himself impressed by the evolution of FCSB, supported by over 27,000 spectators at the National Arena.
Mihai Stoichiță, after FCSB – Fenerbahce 1-1: “Unfair result”
“Very good game. In my opinion, it's an unfair result if we look at the scoring chances. Steaua was clearly superior to Fenerbahce, but unfortunately failed to capitalize on the clear chances. FCSB showed a completely different from the one in the championship”, declared Stoichiță.
“We have to admit that Fenerbahce also played. It was a nice match, with two very good goalkeepers, with spectacular interventions. All in all, it can be a new starting point for FCSB.”
Stoichiță believes that this result can have a positive impact on the morale of the team, especially before the decisive duels in the Superliga.
“It's a morale pill. Tonight you can clearly say that our team was superior in performance. If we look strictly at opportunities, we are over them. They have players of great value, but ours were not inferior either, especially since many young people played”, added the technical director of the FRF.
Stoichiță sees FCSB in the play-offs: “It's within reach”
Even if FCSB is in a delicate situation in the championship, Stoichiță sees FCSB in the play-offs.
“They are within reach of making the play-offs if they play like this. Continuity is important. It looks like an easy match against Csikszereda, but we have to see how he performs. This is a hand of confidence extended to the team tonight,” he explained.
Mihai Stoichiță also spoke about the state of health of the selector Mircea Lucescu, recently hospitalized due to some medical problems:
“Mircea Lucescu has no more problems. He was at the Federation today, he is coming tomorrow. He had the flu, more picked up, but he's fine now. I am very optimistic about the dam with Turkey. I only thought about victory, regardless of the opponent”, said the FRF official.
The situation of the FCSB champion
FCSB finished their Europa League single group in 27th place with 7 points from 8 matches, being eliminated from the competition. In the Superliga, the red-blues are preparing for the duel with Csikszereda, on Sunday, from 20:00, being 5 points from the last place that leads to the play-offs.
Since the 2015/2016 season, since the introduction of the current competition system, FCSB have never missed the play-off qualification.
