Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published on Thursday, 05 February 2026 23:08 / Updated on Thursday, 05 February 2026 23:15
Gigi Becali (67 years old), the owner of FCSB, went live after the victory achieved by his team with FC Botoșani, score 2-1, and he especially praised Mamadou Thiam (30 years old), the author of the first goal of the match.
The Senegalese striker was sent to the starting line-up for the match at the National Arena at the expense of Daniel Bîrligea (25 years old), but Gigi Becali claims that the international was not left on the bench as a punishment, and the reason is simple: “Thiam is better than Bîrligea”.
Gigi Becali, delighted with Mamadou Thiam's performance in FCSB – FC Botoșani 2-1: “He's better than Bîrligea”
“I'm happy with the team's game because that's what it means to be a footballer, to go to war! I played with a team that until now was in the first places and to which we didn't give any chance. That they scored from a corner, it still happens, they also play football. If we count the chances, it should have been 7-1. I'm happy that I saw a strong team, with a reaction when they receive goals.
The first 10 minutes I didn't like how they came in, after that I took control and stunned the opponent. I destroyed the opponent, that's how I saw it!
That's how we play, from the start, that's why the opponent can't! They are good players, but us with this fast game, no one can stand in our way.
We are now on our own. They play each other, if it's equal it's good for us. If one wins, it's all good for us. They also play UTA with Oțelul and U Cluj with CFR and everything in between. And then, I have no problem. I no longer have emotions for the play-offs.
Cisotti and David Miculescu are the best lanes, probably, if Baiaram plays on the left say… But he doesn't play the defensive phase. Cisotti and Miculescu do it. Someone was saying that we lost a few players, now Dawa is also coming back, neither Cisotti nor Thiam has anything,” Gigi Becali told Prima Sport.
Asked if Daniel Bîrligea started the match on the bench as a punishment, the FCSB boss pointed out: “Nine of us are burning with penalties at this time? Penalties are you allowed to give in the middle of the championship. It's value pressure, Thiam is better than him!”.
I didn't set out to produce players, I set out to win championships. This team needs Thiam, he didn't lose a single ball. Meme said to him before entering: «Well, you are strong, you are also technical. You only have to do one thing, don't lose the ball!”. The best advice was given by Meme. He didn't lose the ball, he wasn't changed.
– Gigi Becali, FCSB patron
VIDEO. Mamadou Thiam opened the scoring in FCSB – FC Botoșani
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