UEFA Cup QF: Rapid Bucuresti - Steaua Bucuresti (R)

From uefa.com

Weekend wins boost Bucharest rivals

Both FC Steaua Bucuresti and local rivals AFC Rapid Bucuresti earned comfortable victories in the Romanian First Division at the weekend ahead of their UEFA Cup quarter-final second leg, a match that will start with the teams tied at 1-1 after last Thursday's opening 90 minutes.

FC Otelul Galati 0–3 FC Steaua Bucuresti
Steaua boosted their championship aspirations with victory in Galati on Sunday, despite missing several key players. Cosmin Olaroiu's side dominated possession throughout but had to wait until the 35th minute to take the lead, Andrei Cristea converting Vasilica Cristocea's cross. The Romanian champions doubled their lead two minutes after the break when captain Mirel Radoi converted a penalty following a foul on Cristea and victory was sealed in added time with Cristea scoring his second of the game.

Coach Olaroiu was without striker Victoras Iacob (shoulder) and midfielder Gabriel Bostina (ankle) while he decided to rest George Ogararu, Dorin Goian, Sorin Paraschiv and Banel Nicolita, but he was duly impressed by their replacements. "I'm delighted with the result, particularly because, once again, players that did not play so much in the first half of the season, such as Andrei Cristea, proved that I can rely on them and they are a real asset for the team."

FCU Politehnica Timisoara 1-3 AFC Rapid Bucuresti
Rapid extended their unbeaten run since the resumption of the season with a comeback win against high-flying Politehnica Timisoara on Sunday. Coach Razvan Lucescu rested Valentin Badoi, Daniel Niculae and Emil Dica, while Marius Maldarasanu and Artavazd Karamian are both injured, and the team started badly as they fell behind to a sixth-minute penalty from Gabriel Caramarin. However, that sparked a positive reaction as Mugurel Buga equalised from close range on the half-hour. Nine minutes after the interval Buga scored his second of the night, before both teams were reduced to ten men, with Nicolae Grigore dismissed for Rapid. But it did not deter the Bucharest side who completed the victory with a third goal from substitute Lucian Burdujan (72).

The three points were enough to help Rapid move above Politehnica Timisoara into third, six points behind leaders FC Dinamo 1948 Bucuresti and Steaua. Lucescu was delighted with the result, saying: "It was a well-deserved victory. We started badly, but the guys showed their strength. As for Thursday's match against Steaua, we play well away from home and almost always score, so I predict that it will be a very even match".

 

Match preview from UEFA.com

Steaua have edge for Rapid visit

With the quarter-final first leg between AFC Rapid Bucuresti and FC Steaua Bucuresti having ended 1-1, the Romanian media have been hyping up Thursday's return as the capital rivals compete to become the country's first UEFA Cup semi-finalist in 23 years.

Huge support

Although the clubs have drawn both their meetings this season, Steaua have the advantage after Banel Nicolita scored an away goal - cancelled out in the second half by Viorel Moldovan - in last week's tie at Rapid. The former European champions will also be backed by almost three times as many fans at their temporary Lia Manoliu stadium than filled Rapid's Giulesti ground for a game billed locally as 'The match of the Millennium'.

Cristea strikes

Gabriel Bostina is eligible to return to the Steaua midfield after suspension, although an ankle injury sustained in training last week kept him out of Sunday's 3-0 win at FC Otelul Galati, Andrei Cristea (2) and Mirel Radoi scoring for a side also bereft of several rested players. Cristea, for whom the goals were his first of the season, said of the Rapid encounter: "This is our biggest match of the campaign and we'll have to give it our best to qualify."

'Even match'

Rapid were also victorious on their travels at the weekend, defeating FCU Politehnica Timisoara 3-1 to climb to fourth, six points behind Steaua who are level on points with leaders FC Dinamo Bucuresti. Rapid coach Razvan Lucescu omitted Emanoil Badoi, Daniel Niculae and Emil Dica with the European night in mind, but saw his team fight back to win with goals from Mugurel Buga (2) and Lucian Burdujan. "The players showed their strength after a bad start," Lucescu said. "We tend to play well away from home and almost always score, so I expect an even game against Steaua."

Face mask

The victory came at a cost, however, as Danut Perja broke his nose and will only be able to play against Steaua if he wears a mask following surgery, while Valentin Negru suffered a head injury which threatens his involvement. Nonetheless, midfielder Nicolae Grigore remains optimistic, saying: "Steaua are by no means the best team we have faced in the UEFA Cup this season. Hamburger [SV], Hertha [BSC] Berlin and Feyenoord are all better."

Confident Rada

Defender Ionut Rada was even more forthright: "Obviously it is our aim to eliminate Steaua. I invite every journalist to come to our training ground on Friday and we'll tell them how we achieved this. I am sure Steaua's players are scared of us, they just don't want to admit it." Steaua, it seems, are prepared to let their football do the talking.

 

Steaua Bucuresti - Rapid Bucuresti

The match starts at 20:30 Romanian time. The first leg finished 1 - 1.

Steaua Bucuresti

Manager: Cosmin Olariu (born June 10th, 1969)

System: 4-4-2

Code:

                 Carlos

 Ogararu - D. Goian - Ghionea - P. Marin

Nicolita - M. Radoi - Paraschiv - Bostina

            N. Dica - Oprita

On the bench: Cernea, D. Balan, Nesu, E. Baciu, A. Cristea, Lovin
Injured: V. Iacob
In danger of suspension: Paraschiv, A. Cristea, Ogararu, Nicolita

Rapid Bucuresti

Manager: Razvan Lucescu (born February 17th, 1969)

System: 3-4-2-1

Code:

                 Coman

    M. Constantin - Maftei - I. Rada

 Badoi - E. Dica -  R. Stancu - I. Stancu

            Buga - V. Moldovan
 
                D.Niculae

On the bench: Minca, Vasilache, V. Negru, Perja, N. Grigore, Burdujan, N. Constantin
Injured: Maldarasanu, Art. Karamian
Not eligible: Pancu
In danger of suspension: D. Coman, M. Constantin, I. Rada, E. Dica, Vasilache, N. Constantin, Burdujan, D. Niculae, Buga

 

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Final score 0 - 0. Steaua will play against FC Basel (Switzerland) or Middlesbrough (England). First match at home (April 20th), the return leg a week later. Most likely Basel, as they seem to be 1 - 0 up after 24 minutes (according to livescore.com).