The FCSB, the opponent of Liberec in the 3rd preliminary round of the European League, which will be played next week, is facing huge problems. After Thursday’s penalty win after an unprecedented 6: 6 shootout at Bačka Topola, the club known under the former name of Steaua Bucharest currently has 17 coronavirus infections, nine of them, and is asking to postpone Sunday’s league duel with Argeş Piteşti. The match with Liberec should take place at the FCSB stadium in Giurgio and not in Bucharest.
The FCSB had to start Thursday’s match without nine mostly stable players from the starting line-up, who had a positive covid-19 test before the match. Outside the game were goalkeeper Andrei Vlad, defenders Andrei Miron and Iulian Cristea, midfielders Ovidiu Popescu, Ionut Vina, Darius Olaru, Florin Tanase and Andrei Pandele and forward Sergiu Bus. Eight members of the implementation team also became ill, including head coach Anton Petrea.
There were only 14 players, including several young men. The team was led by makeshift coach Mihai Pintilii. The Romanian team finished in a double overtime, but Bačka managed to equalize three times and after an unprecedented 6: 6 shootout, they caught up with the penalty. The highest draw in the history of the European League or the Champions League was born.
“It was a crazy match and I hope I never experience it again. It was a very hard night before the match. I didn’t sleep and many players woke up five or six times. It’s not nice not to know if you also have a covid-19. You’re scared. In the end, it turned out well and we return with progress, “ quoted Pintilii in the Romanian media.
The FCSB was replaced by the inexperienced 19-year-old goalkeeper Razvan Ducan, and there was also no usual stopper in the team. “Ducan? I don’t even know how many goals he could have scored, whether for one, two or more. He’s still a kid. He saved us in the penalties and that’s the most important thing. This match will help him in his future career,” introduced Pintilia.
Bad luck “stuck” on the FCSB during Serbia, because another Florinel Coman support was injured during the match. “You better not even ask me. I don’t even know what to say. I don’t know what’s next. It’s clear it’s not an easy situation.” stated Pintilia.
The 35-year-old former representative has no idea with whom the FSCB will play the next matches. He is to play in the domestic league on Sunday against the newcomer Arges and next Thursday against Liberec. Due to coronavirus problems, the North Bohemians suddenly became a clear favorite for bookmakers to advance, even though Czech clubs have not been successful against the FCSB for a long time. Since 2016, Sparta, Plzeň and Mladá Boleslav have been eliminated with the former Steauaa.
“I don’t even know how many of us will return home and how many will have to stay in quarantine for the match with Arges. I have no idea how healthy we will be. The management will take care of it, see if we can postpone the match. I think it’s possible.” introduced Pintilia.
According to social networks FCSB, the match with Liberec will not be played in Bucharest, but in Giurgiu. In a not very cozy city on the border between Romania and Bulgaria, the North Bohemians have already introduced themselves and dropped out with the local Astra six years ago in the 3rd preliminary round of the European League.
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