Sorin Paraschiv, a former midfielder for Steaua, has previewed the much-anticipated derby between Dinamo and FCSB, highlighting the difficulty in choosing a favorite for such a fiercely contested match.
Paraschiv emphasized that while the rivalry is intense, this match will not determine the title race. “This weekend we have Dinamo vs. FCSB, a traditional derby of Romania. Times have changed considerably. This season has started interestingly, with many good transfers and several teams in contention for the title,” he stated.
The former player refrained from making predictions, asserting, “Returning to Dinamo vs. FCSB, I cannot pick a favorite, as anything can happen in a derby like this, as has been the case over the years. This match is early in the season and won’t decide the championship, but the pride on both sides will be immense.”
Paraschiv Reflects on Modern Conditions
Later, Paraschiv was asked to compare the conditions today’s players enjoy to those during his career, particularly in European competitions.
“If FCSB left Ghencea two or three matches ago due to poor pitch conditions, think about how we played in matches against teams like Valencia, under much worse conditions! When we woke up to even a few drops of rain, we knew we would be playing on a muddy pitch,” he recounted.
Though I haven’t seen the pitch at the Arch of Triumph, I know the atmosphere will be fantastic. Whenever I played there, I felt a great energy! In such matches, there are no favorites; it’s tough for both teams. We play at home, in front of our fans, and we believe we can take all three points. We’re looking at the game with courage and the right energy to win.
Nuno Campos, Dinamo Coach
Mental Strength of His Generation
When asked how his generation would have fared with today’s training facilities and specialized coaches, including mental coaches, Paraschiv noted the challenges of his era toughened players.
“We were very strong both mentally and physically, and sometimes those difficulties strengthened us. Nowadays, if we see a few bumps on the pitch, we can’t play anymore,” he remarked. “Once again, I say we shouldn’t make a case out of these issues. These are the times; we live in a different world. Conditions must be good today because otherwise, it’s hard to perform, and we must adapt.”
