Article by Daniel Grigore – published on Thursday, July 24, 2025 21:47 / Updated Thursday, July 24, 2025 21:50
Ioan Ovidiu Sabău, 57 years old, U Cluj's coach, analyzed the white draw from Erevan, 0-0 with Ararat Armeniain the first leg of the preliminary round 2 of Conference League.
Although he weighs the result to be “very good”, Sabău is worried about the game provided by his students, one that puts him on guard for the return of next week, scheduled in Sibiu.
The coach of “U” emphasized the difference in rhythm and spaces compared to internal football, despite the fact that today's opponent, the vice -champion of Armenia, considers it modest.
Ioan Ovidiu Sabău drew all the alarm signals after Ararat Armenia – U Cluj
“Maybe I exaggerate with expectations. I will be realistic. A good result, but we suffer a lot. As football we have problems. I hope we do this. It is a not good, but very good result. We have to accept and satisfy, it is the first experience in Europe, but We must also realize that today we played very, very weak. From here you leave. You realize, react, prepare yourself totally differently, you accumulate experience.
In the first half we were more determined, more eager to register, we could have registered. In the second half I mattered too little. Very many simple passes to the opponent, lost duels, extra take -up to the last pass…
The difference in level was felt. Here no one lets you control it, touch it 10 times, give a pass, not to attack you.
All respect for the opponent, but it was modest. And then when you see that players actually don't know what to do with the ball, they annoy you. After all, it's a game, you have to have the courage to play. Do not be scared, to be agitated, in a time crisis, of spaces. Be more relaxed. Of course, some players have not played at this level, they get used to it slowly.
The return will be difficult. It will be hard, but today I had this fear of playing at this level, it will be very difficult. But I trust that we will look much better. We play at home, he is an opponent who should not normally pose problems. But if we stay at this level, it's an experience in addition to what happened last year and we go ahead, ”said Sabău at the end of the game.
At first glance, we seem to have a more valuable lot, more balanced than last season. But new players still need to be integrated, they are not because I was waiting. But I think they have quality, that's what I saw at workouts. I think I can add value, but they need time. I have patience, I have to help them become better than they are.
– Ioan Ovidiu Sabău
