Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published on Sunday, 24 May 2026 23:52 / Updated on Monday, 25 May 2026 00:05
Marius Baciu (51 years old) started with a win on FCSB's bench, 4-3 with FC Botoșani, in the semi-final of the Conference League play-off. The technician praised Octavian Popescu, the author of the decisive goal, scored in overtime.
For FCSB, the play-off final with Dinamo follows, the 4th place holder in the Superliga play-off, a match from which Marius Baciu expects a better game from his team.
Marius Baciu praised Octavian Popescu after his debut on FCSB's bench: “I haven't seen a player like him for a long time”
“A lot of turnovers, even though we got the first goal on our attack, we got the positioning wrong, but I liked the reaction of the boys, we equalized straight away. We had a few problems that I didn't like, positioning and organization.
In the second half we had our very good moments, we had no strength at all with our striker, with the child (No. Stoian). We didn't manage to win any duels, he didn't attack deep like we asked him to.
We needed a player who runs very well, Olaru had a problem with his leg and in training we used Cisotti a little in that position. Miculescu had a problem, it was a forced change.
We adjusted because we have colleagues who can see very well, we divided our work. I think I reacted well. I didn't like the central area. We asked to play with Joao in front of the central defenders not to have any emotions, but there we had the biggest emotions.
We had some errors, at 3-1 it is not allowed to make these mistakes. And at 0-0, Joao could be much more careful. It happens, we asked to go up with the full-backs up. We tried to create numerical superiority, I don't know how successful we were. I didn't work as much as I told.
Tavi is a child who needs support, I like him very much, I trusted him. I prepared him the same as a starter, I knew there could be overtime. He came in tremendously, not only offensively, but also defensively. I asked him to have courage, to dribble, to do what he wants.
If he listens and has the opportunity to be 1 on 1, get in the box. I haven't seen a player like him in 1-on-1 duels for a long time,” said Marius Baciu, on the “Digi Sport Special” show.
Marius Baciu: “You can't think of a favorite during an FCSB – Dinamo match”
“Dinamo is a very good team. We overcame this hurdle, for me it was extraordinarily complicated. We only did 3 training sessions together. We also scored a goal from a fixed phase, which was not allowed. The desolation, maybe also the fear of the result, led us to that mistake. But I liked the reaction in the end. And Botoșani is a good team. When it ends well in a semi-final, it really doesn't matter anymore.
In an FCSB – Dinamo match, I don't think you can think of a favorite. They are in the play-offs, they have an extra day of rest, they had a very good game, they have a very good coach. It's a team that can beat anyone“.
