FK Csíkszereda had to battle hard for victory on Wednesday away to FC Metaloglobus București, but in the end collected the three points it desperately needed to stay alive in the top-flight race.

FK Csíkszereda had to battle hard for victory on Wednesday away to FC Metaloglobus București, but in the end collected the three points it desperately needed to stay alive in the top-flight race.

The Clinceni Arena is now used exclusively by Metaloglobus București, after Slobozia moved back to its own stadium, but this was already our second match played here, as Unirea also hosted its home games in Clinceni during the autumn. Compared to that encounter, the conditions were much improved this time: relocated and newly built dressing rooms, along with a significantly better-quality pitch welcomed the team of birthday-boy head coach Ilyés Róbert.

Against the bottom-placed side, victory is considered almost mandatory for teams serious about staying in the first division, although it is never easy. Răzvan Teja’s players compete without pressure, freely and with confidence, making life difficult for almost every opponent. Csíkszereda supporters, who also showed strong backing in Sunday’s away match against FCSB, once again managed to create a home-like atmosphere for the red-and-blacks, just as they had done at the National Arena. 

Compared to Sunday’s match, when Bettini, Gustavo and Bota started for the first time, Ilyés Róbert once again handed a debut start, this time to Răzvan Trif, while Nagy Zoárd was also named in the starting eleven for the first time. In the 4th minute, the hosts threatened through Višić, but two minutes later the decisive moment arrived: Nagy Zoárd controlled the ball with his back to goal and laid it off to Bödő Efraim on the right, who fired a superb shot into the near corner with the help of goalkeeper Gavrilaș and the post: 0–1!

Further chances also fell mainly to the visitors. In the 19th minute, following a free kick, Nagy Zoárd crossed from the edge of the six-yard box, but the defence cleared, before the same player found himself in another promising position without managing to make contact in front of goal. In the 25th minute, Pászka again found Nagy from a set piece, but the opportunity went begging. In the 37th minute, Pászka volleyed from 16 metres well over the bar, and two minutes later, after a free kick from the left, Kabashi collided with Gavrilaș and Veres lifted the ball over the crossbar. Towards the end of the first half, Csürös made a crucial block from Tutu’s close-range effort, while in the 43rd minute Neacșu sent a shot well over from Višić’s lay-off.

The hosts made three substitutions at half-time, with Ilyés Róbert responding by bringing on Anderson. In the 53rd minute, Dumitru tried his luck from distance, but his shot went wide. In the 65th minute, after a fine Bödő–Eppel combination, Eppel controlled the ball five metres from goal but fired straight into Gavrilaș. Late on, increasing pressure was applied to the Csíkszereda goal: in the 77th minute Csürös headed over from close range after a right-wing corner, then in the 79th and 81st minutes Ghimfuș and Dumitru both attempted long-range shots, which Pap dealt with confidently. In the 82nd minute, after Eppel lost possession, Huiban fired dangerously from the left, the ball flashing across the face of goal, while in the 84th minute Fernandes narrowly missed Huiban’s cross. In the 87th minute, Pap made multiple saves from Ghimfuș’s powerful long-range effort, ensuring that FK Csíkszereda secured the vital three points after a huge battle.

There was plenty of reason to celebrate at full time, as the supporters present congratulated head coach Ilyés Róbert on his birthday, followed by the joyful singing of the Székely anthem. The celebrations continued in the dressing room.

Speaking at the official post-match press conference, the birthday-boy head coach reflected on the game:
“It was a hard-fought and demanding victory. However, their style of play does not reflect a bottom-placed team, and they proved today that they are a dangerous side, especially at home, with good combination play. They play without pressure, freely, which allows them to create more actions and dribbles and cause problems for any opponent. I am happy that we made the right decision, changed our system, were much more compact, and did not allow them space on the flanks in one-on-one situations, where they have fast, high-quality players. Our victory was hard-earned but deserved, and I want to congratulate my team, because there were moments when we had to suffer. This win gives us a bit more security and brings us into a zone where we are no longer directly condemned.”

In the 26th round, FK Csíkszereda will host UTA Arad on Saturday, kicking off at 3:00 pm.

Superliga, regular season, Round 25
Metaloglobus București – FK Csíkszereda 0–1 (0–1)
Clinceni Arena, Clinceni, approx. 100 spectators

Referees: Roman George Cătălin, Neacșu George Florin, Ghiciulescu Raul Constantin
VAR: Găman George Cătălin
AVAR: Marcu Claudiu
Fourth official: Lăstun Mihai Sebastian

Goal: Bödő (6)

Yellow cards:
Csürös (29), Bödő (61), Pászka (90+1), Bota (90+3)
respectively Sabater (32), Dumitru (76)

FC Metaloglobus București:
Gavrilaș George Petrișor – Irimia David Mario, Dumitru Paraschiv Gabriel, Camara Aboubacar, Bădescu Robert Gabriel, Neacșu Robert Cornel (Liș Laurențiu Marian 46) – Gheorghe Alexandru, Sabater Tous Damia (Abbey Moses 46), Irimia Dragoș Alexandru (Ghimfuș David Giovani 46) – Višić Ștefan (Lopes Fernandes Ely Ernesto 68), Toutu Mpondo Martins Daniele (Huiban Dragoș Ionuț 61).
Head coach: Mihai Răzvan Teja.

FK Csíkszereda:
Pap Eduard Adrian – Kabashi Arian, Csürös Attila, Palmeș Raul, Pászka Lóránd, Veres Szilárd (Szabolcs Dușinszki 86), Bödő Zoltán Efraim (Darius Bota 71), Végh Bence, Trif Răzvan Alin, Jebari Soufiane (Anderson Ceará 46), Nagy Zoárd (Márton Eppel 63).
Head coach: Róbert Ilyés.