Florin Maxim, the coach of Corvinul Hunedoara, reflected on his team’s crucial 2-0 victory against FC Argeș in the 14th round of the Superliga.
After suffering defeats in their previous two matches against Rapid (0-2) and U Cluj (0-3), the newly promoted team bounced back with a strong performance.
The match, held in Petroșani on a challenging pitch, saw Corvinul score two late goals between the 81st and 90+1 minutes, securing all three points.
Florin Maxim: “Football Was Lacking Today”
Maxim described the match as lacking in quality football but noted the team’s exceptional execution on their goals. “I don’t know where to start. There wasn’t much football today, but the goals were well executed. We knew how to endure. It was an intense match with many duels. I would have liked us to be better in set-pieces, but overall we showed well. We handled the duels well, and that was crucial on such a pitch,” he commented during an interview with PrimaSport.
He added that both teams played cautiously, with each side opting to minimize risks due to the poor condition of the pitch.
Discussing his players’ performance during set-pieces, Maxim revealed that the coaching staff is continuously working on developing these plays. “We have 4-5 good set-piece executors and players in the box ready to capitalize on their deliveries. We practice these during training, and sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t.”
While Corvinul did not score directly from a set-piece, the first goal did originate from a corner.
Corvinul’s Play-Off Aspirations
This victory brings Corvinul within two points of the play-off zone. Maxim was asked if reaching the top six is a realistic goal. “No one can stop you from dreaming. The boys work hard every day and put in great effort. We talk with them daily. They have good statistics, but sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t, depending on the opponent and the state of the pitch,” he noted.
He acknowledged the ambition of the team, saying, “Yes, we dreamt about it. I know I have a hardworking squad that prepares well. What we achieve… If we make it into the top six, great. If not, we’ll continue fighting for every point, just like today.”
Maxim on the Petroșani Pitch Conditions
Maxim also addressed the state of the pitch, which was heavily affected by rain, creating puddles and mud. “I knew the pitch would be like this. There has been investment in the field, but the person responsible for it told me it is about 95% soil. The soil-sand ratio should be 60-40, and it needs sand,” he explained.
He expressed hope for improvements, saying, “I expected a difficult surface, but we wanted to keep the team in the county. Even in this weather, 3,000 people showed up. It’s clear the surface isn’t good, but the people are making an effort. I believe the pitch will improve, but until spring, this is what we have to deal with. Fortunately, we don’t have many matches left this season.”
“It was a tough match; we expected that, especially since it has been raining since yesterday. We thought the pitch would be soft and might break down, but there’s nothing we can do. These are the conditions, and we must adapt. It doesn’t depend on us players. The staff and management are doing everything they can to ensure we have a better pitch. You saw the kind of football we played when the pitch was good. But I’m glad that tonight the pitch suited us, and we won. If it’s about defending, we defend. If it’s about passing, we pass. Tonight it was about defending, and that’s the fate of the match. Different matches yield different football. Against Petrolul, we played like Barcelona; against U Cluj, the same, but the ball just wouldn’t go in. Sometimes, I prefer to play ugly football and take the three points.” – Flavius Iacob, right back for Corvinul
