FCSB 1-0 » Victory as a rescue! Ciucani snatch the leader from the play-out and get rid of the worries of relegation
Csikszereda defeated FCSB in the opening of the 7th stage of the Superliga play-out, 1-0, with a late goal, in the 87th minute, signed by captain Attila Csuros.
Chronicle by Marius Mărgărit: “Indolence pays. Historic victory for Csikszereda!”
The 7th round of the play-out opened this evening at Miercurea Ciuc, with the match between Csikszereda and FCSB. One that was not at all easy for the visitors, who left here before, in the regular season, with only one point, at a time when the Cicuans were penultimate and many saw them as sure victims of direct relegation, and the Bucharesters were not too far away either.
Since then, FCSB, now with an emergency coach, tried to grab the last play-off spot with Charalambous, but without success. And Ilyeș's boys kept fighting with everything they had at hand, and, with a European license, they are still hoping to even catch the playoff spot for the Conference League.
What sad football!
On a difficult lawn, with plenty of mowed “zero” areas, big favorite, FCSB settled in the opponent's half from the first seconds. Joao Paulo, Crețu and Miculescu sent the first balls towards Pap's goal. Nothing dangerous. Csikszereda accepted the situation, but not without trying to speculate on any opportunity to counter.
Tavi Popescu left Paszka and Ceara spectators from a gap, penetrated, but did not find the goal. Another sign of red-blue dominance, which led to abundant possession, 71%-29%, after the first quarter of an hour. Because the hosts, unable to build, sold the ball very quickly, after launches without much hope.
Without rhythm, rather a slow to sad football, FCSB seemed to have the match at their discretion, but without creating great opportunities. Bodo had a slightly hotter one, but he was blocked twice at the edge of the box. Olaru checked Pap's socket, as did Eppel, a bit sharper, for Matei Popa.
The first half went like this, with more decibels in the stands than on the field, where it was played quietly, with neither team showing signs of forcing anything. Everyone was waiting as if the goal would fall from somewhere. FCSB convinced that they have to come somehow, Csikszereda lurking for any error of the opponents. Further proof that possession, 72%-28% for the visitors, means nothing. Neither for show nor on the table.
Hit the finish, by Csuros
The second part started a bit more lively and balanced. Both teams collected corners, shots on goal, but alas, all well off target. However, as the minutes passed, FCSB was also more insistent.
The crosses came more often, more cut, but who would finish… Bîrligea was not on the field. Miculescu rarely met the ball, even if his team had it so much.
Pap took a corner kick directly at the goal by Tavi Popescu, more active than ever in the last long time.
And on the counter, Ceara finally gave a pass with talent, but Matei Popa managed to block Eppel. The biggest chance of the match, against the play, in the 64th minute! Cisotti also had a good chance, but he shot Pap's gloves. False alarm! One of the Italian's missed matches.
Towards the end, FCSB pressed more and more, pushing the Ciucani to defend in their own box. Uninspired, no speed, muddled, no solutions. The hosts' defense absorbed everything without much effort, helped even by the lack of clarity from the opposing offense.
Tavi Popescu found the shot he was looking for the whole match, Pap flew and kept the scoreboard intact. While his team seemed to have given up on the attack, satisfied with a point. The guests kept collecting corners and shots, in a torment without end and finality.
And out of nowhere, at a corner taken by Szalay, missed by Lixandru, the captain of the hosts, Csuros, scored. 1-0, while FCSB kept grinding in goal and had 73% possession!
Indolence pays off! And Csikszereda, in one fell swoop, ensured 99% survival in the Super League, but also leaves room for hope, for the Conference playoff.
FINAL » Csikszereda – FCSB 1-0
Csikszereda – FCSB, starting teams:
Csikszereda (4-1-4-1): Pap – Paszka, Palmeș, Csuros (capt.), Trif – Vegh – Ceara, Vereș, Bodo, Loeper – Eppel
reserves: M. Simon, Bloj, Nagy, Dolny, Bota, Gustavo Cabral, Dusinszki, Hegedus, Brugger, Tajti, Szalay, Deaky
Coach: Robert Ilyeș
FCSB (4-2-3-1): M. Popa – Crețu, Dawa, M. Popescu, Radunovic – Fl. Tănase, Joao Paulo – Cisotti, Olaru (capt.), Oct. Popescu – Miculescu
reserves: Târnovanu, Zima – Duarte, Graovac, Lixandru, Toma, Pantea, Alhassan, Stoian, Thiam, David Popa
Coach: Lucian Filip (interim)
PHOTO. Spectacular shots from the last direct match, played on snow
