Ovidiu Ioanițoaia, the 81-year-old director of Gazeta Sporturilor, provided insights on the recent FCSB versus FC Botoșani match, where FCSB triumphed 3-2 in a dramatic finish.
During his appearance on GSP Live this morning, Ioanițoaia noted that FCSB was fortunate in their victory, especially with the winning goal scored by Daniel Bîrligea in the 90+6 minute.
FCSB’s Luck in a Thrilling Match
“It was an exciting match with a dramatic ending. FCSB had a tough win, partly due to luck. Winning in the 90+6 minute indicates some fortune. Additionally, two key players from Botoșani, Ongenda and Miron, suffered injuries and had to be substituted,” he explained.
Prior to Bîrligea’s decisive goal, a moment of tension arose when Kovtalyuk hit the crossbar at 2-2, showcasing FCSB’s control over the match despite their need for a bit of luck.
Botoșani’s performance surpassed expectations, even though key players Mailat and Bodișteanu did not play at their best. Ioanițoaia pointed out Mailat’s impending transfer to Neftchi for €400,000 as a possible reason for his subdued performance.
Botoșani has had a rough start this season, failing to secure any wins, similar to UTA and Csikszereda. However, Ioanițoaia remarked on their strong display against FCSB.
FCSB’s success was also attributed to their bench strength. Ioanițoaia expressed surprise at the substitutions of Joao Paulo and Boutoutaou, acknowledging that strategic decisions at FCSB stem from higher management rather than the coach, Baciu.
FCSB is currently at the top of the league, but Ioanițoaia reminded viewers that U Cluj is not far behind with 9 points and a game in hand. If they win their next match, they could take the lead in the Superliga.
Title Contenders in Superliga
When discussing the title race, Ioanițoaia identified FCSB, Craiova, and Dinamo as the main contenders. He emphasized that while FCSB and Craiova have valuable players, they need to demonstrate their capabilities on the field.
Moreover, he commended Daniel Bîrligea for his return to form, noting his two goals in the match and his potential impact on the national team ahead of their upcoming match against Sweden in the Nations League.
Regarding Gică Hagi’s role with the national team, Ioanițoaia acknowledged Hagi’s strategic mindset but highlighted the challenges posed by the current player pool, expressing skepticism about the team’s prospects in the Nations League against Poland, Bosnia, and Sweden.
Lastly, Ioanițoaia addressed Gigi Becali’s criticisms of Aymen Boutoutaou, admitting his own appreciation for the player and remarking that he considers Boutoutaou to be a worthwhile acquisition, despite differing opinions from Becali.
