Mehmet Topal leaves Bucharest defeated, but does not lay down his arms: “It's not the end of the world”

However, he is extremely optimistic that the team will manage to save themselves from relegation and that they will look completely different in the next game. Finally, he also commented on the departure of Mirel Rădoi to Turkey, to Gaziantep, being sure that the former A1 from FCSB will be successful there.

Mehmet Topal's reaction after the failure with FCSB

“I didn't expect such a performance, to be honest, I thought that after two weeks of training we should enjoy this match.

The first 45 minutes were a disappointment for me. In the second half things settled down, we saw how we can become more dangerous. We are trying to stay in the league, we have to win every game.

We are obliged to take points in these matches as well, this defeat was also a surprise for us, but it is not the end of the world. We pick up where we left off, we have to be united in situations like this, we suffer for 2-3 days, but then we get back to work.

I didn't realize either, that I didn't expect it, it's my responsibility, defeats and the coach assumes them, I made a mistake somewhere, I didn't trust in the first half.

The opposing team has quality players, we knew that before the game, they fought harder than us, they deserved the win, we have to focus on our job.

As I said, the opponent had quality, they also have good team conditions, but that was in the first half, when we were slower, we didn't have full confidence, we got stuck, we didn't take responsibility, we have time to correct the mistakes. A new week begins and we must move forward. In the first half we dropped in the game.

My opinion is that Mirel Rădoi will be successful in Gaziantep, I like him as a coach. I wish him success, he is a good coach”, said Mehmet Topal, after the match, on “Digi Sport Special”.

Topal's thoughts at the post-match press conference

We didn't deserve a point. And for me, and for the players, it was a surprise. I don't know if we wanted it that much, but we didn't look good. We corrected some things in the second half, but let's not forget that we played with a very good team, with players who are progressing to the national team.

They fought harder than us and deserved the victory. It's time to get down to business again, tough battles await us, we need to adjust as soon as possible. All responsibility is mine, we apologize to the supporters. We have to prepare very well for the next match and get out of this difficult situation.

I had high expectations, to be honest. In the last three stages we had an intense game and a high level, and today I expected it to be the same. It was important what the players wanted to do in the second half. I played with an aggressive, important team. I also said before the match that we are trying to give everything to win the match. Today they wanted more than us.

It wasn't just Ricardinho's problem, we're trying to change some things, we just tried. It showed in the second half and like I said, all the players are trying to do their best. Today was a big crash, now it's important to come back.

We will fight until the end, we have players with character, you don't see that, how they work. Together we will manage to get the team out of this situation, today was, as I said, an accident

– Mehmet Topal, Petrolul coach

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