FCSB is currently playing against FK Auda in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the Conference League at Steaua Stadium in Bucharest. The match, which started at 20:45, is being broadcast on Pro TV and is also available on VOYO.
If FCSB advances past FK Auda, they will meet the winner of the NK Aluminij (Slovenia) vs. Dinamo City (Albania) matchup in the third preliminary round.
Approximately 11,000 fans filled the stands at the Ghencea Stadium by kickoff.
LIVE » FCSB – FK Auda 0-1
Goal scored by: Daskevics ‘5
Min. 2: Tănase takes a free kick, easily saved by the opposing goalkeeper.
Min. 1: A yellow card was issued in the first minute to central defender Moussa Ouedraogo for holding Florin Tănase.
20:45 – Match starts in Ghencea!
This marks the 50th appearance in European competitions for goalkeeper Ștefan Târnovanu, who is 26 years old.
Florin Tănase is beginning his tenth European campaign with FCSB, marking his 54th European match with the club. He also has two appearances from his time at Viitorul, now known as Farul.
Starting Lineups: FCSB vs FK Auda
FCSB (4-3-3): Târnovanu – Labonne, Dawa, Duarte, Radunovic – Cisotti, Gnahore, Tănase (c) – Boutoutaou, Bîrligea, Oct. Popescu
Substitutes: M. Popa, R. Udrea – Crețu, Pădurariu, Dăncuș, D. Avram, Politic, Toma, L. Stancu, Al. Stoian, D. Popa
Coach: Marius Baciu
Eddy Gnahore and Aymen Boutoutaou are starting in their FCSB debuts, while Ronny Labonne earns his first start after previously playing in the final minutes of a league match against FC Argeș.
New signing Luca Stancu is on the bench today, while center-back Dylan Batubinsika, who was introduced to FCSB on Wednesday, is not on the matchday roster despite being included in the Europa lineup.
Absent from the squad are David Miculescu and Joao Paulo, who trained separately before the match.
FK Auda (4-3-3): Purins – Hrvoj, Ouedraogo, Arroyo, Rubenis – Daskevics (c), Y. Traore, Hussaini – Diedhiou, Kone, Bongemba
Substitutes: Sturins, Aleksandrovs – Kragliks, Appiah, M. Fofana, W. Fofana, Lusweki, Gerold, Minins, Aranda
Coach: Didier Zanetti
Field Conditions Update
As of 19:30, the playing surface at Ghencea is reportedly in poor condition. Mihai Stoica, an FCSB official, acknowledged earlier that the “field looks terrible” due to a fungal issue.
Stadium Readiness Update
At 19:20, FCSB shared a video from inside Steaua Stadium, encouraging fans: “We are waiting for you to join us!”.
Stadium Expansion for Fans
Due to high interest from FCSB fans, the club has decided to open the second tier of the northern stand and the second section of the main stand in Ghencea.
Given the significant interest shown by supporters to be with us tonight, our club has decided to increase the number of tickets by opening the second tier in the Northern Stand and the Second Section. These will be available online and at the Steaua Stadium box office at the following prices:
SECOND TIER – 30 LEI
SECOND SECTION – 40 LEI
We look forward to seeing you with us! – FCSB Statement
Team Projections
FCSB (4-2-3-1): Târnovanu – Crețu, Dawa, Duarte, Radunovic – Cisotti, Gnahore – Stoian, Fl. Tănase, Oct. Popescu – Bîrligea
Substitutes: M. Popa, Udrea – Pădurariu, M. Toma, Politic, Labonne, Miculescu, J. Paulo, Boutoutaou, Batubinsika, L. Stancu;
Absent: Ngezana, M. Popescu, O. Arad (injured); Coach: Marius Baciu
FK Auda (4-1-4-1): Purins – Hrvoj, Arroyo, Kragliks, Rubenis – Y. Traore – Daskevics, H. Ibrahim, Bongemba, Appiah – K. Kone
Substitutes: Sturins, Aleksandrovs – Minins, W. Fofana, Aranda, O. Camara, Diedhiou, M. Fofana, Lusweki;
Absent: -; Coach: Didier Zanetti
Stadium: Steaua (Bucharest); Referee: David Fuxman (Israel); Assistants: Matityahu Yakobov and Idan Zoler (Israel); There will be no VAR for FCSB – FK Auda.
We’re facing a strong team, and we have analyzed them. They play aggressively and employ high pressing, with foreign players and a French coach. It won’t be an easy match; we aren’t discussing a simple double-header. We must stay focused. I’m confident that all players are ready for the game. We can’t talk about danger; that’s overstated. This is a team eager to make a name for themselves, featuring players aiming for stronger leagues. I believe they will want to showcase their abilities. When you’re in full season, you have a different rhythm. – Marius Baciu, FCSB Coach
FK Auda’s squad is valued at €5.65 million, while FCSB’s is nearly five times higher at €26.78 million.
I am sure this will be a good experience for our young team. I would be satisfied with a draw today, for sure. I am ready to face the challenge of playing the return match in Latvia with qualification on the line. We have the quality to pose problems. The opponent is very strong, but we are prepared and have this opportunity as FCSB is at the beginning of the season. I consider all FCSB players to be valuable. I believe the key to the match will be in midfield. It’s not my job to evaluate chances in percentages. – Didier Zanetti, FK Auda Coach
Match Statistics
This is FCSB’s second encounter with a team from Latvia, having previously defeated RFS 4-1 on September 26, 2024, at the National Arena during the Europa League phase, with goals from Daniel Bîrligea, Marius Ștefănescu, and Darius Olaru (two goals).
The Latvians have been playing in their domestic top league since 2022, where they have won the Cup. In the last two seasons, they finished second.
The club was founded in 1969, originally representing the fishing cooperative “9. maijs” from the Vecmilgravis neighborhood, a port area in northern Riga. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the cooperative changed its name to Auda, which was also adopted by the sports entity. Hence, the nickname “the fishermen”.
The most valuable player on FK Auda’s roster is left winger Eduards Daskevics, a 24-year-old Latvian international valued at €700,000.
Auda, taken over in 2025, represents the first senior European project for French coach Didier Zanetti, 46, who spent nearly 15 years working almost exclusively with youth teams at Istres, Montpellier U17, and AC Ajaccio’s second team. His first professional experience was in the United Arab Emirates in 2024, when he took on the role of coaching United FC’s second team.
Currently, the team from Kekava sits third in the Virsliga after 22 matches, having accumulated 40 points (12 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses), trailing only the dominant forces RFS and Riga FC.
They have played 10 matches in the Conference League preliminary rounds over the past two seasons, achieving five wins, three draws, and two losses.
