Cluj Day | Surprise in Gruia. FC Botoșani returns to Moldova with all three points
Without Dan Petrescu on the bench, CFR Cluj lost on its own ground to the team led by Mihai Teja, score 0-1, in round number 5 of the Superliga.
Just a few minutes before the match, a torrential rain surprised those present in the stadium, but the conduct of the match was not affected. CFR Cluj started to put pressure right from the start and dominated possession.
However, the first opportunities came only in the 19th minute, when Bordeianu and then Hoban put Pap to the test, but the visitors’ goalkeeper was on duty. Immediately, Malele escaped alone with Pap, but caught the goalkeeper (20).
Even though the rain started again in Cluj, this time even harder, CFR continued to be the team with the initiative. Debutant Malele had another chance to score, but missed from close range (27). Contrary to the course of the game until that moment, FC Botoșani managed to open after the first half hour had passed.
Braun sent a pass to the opponent, Tircoveanu took advantage and launched Camara between the champions’ stoppers, and the striker originally from Guinea sent a shot past Sava (31). The champion answered from a set piece, which reminded of the first goal scored against Chindia, a cross from a corner sent back by Hoban near the goal, but this time Muhar failed to score (36).
The “Railways” settled in the opposing half in the following minutes, but they seemed rushed many times, while the tension in the stands was growing. The people of Cluj desperately looked for an equaliser, but the halftime score in Gruia was 0-1.
Upon returning from the cabins, the game followed the same scenario. The champion tried to attack, while the guests gave up the initiative and tried quick actions, which would destabilize the organization of Cluj. The first opportunity didn’t come until the 57th minute when Deac sent a cross for Hoban, who shot over the crossbar.
Chances kept coming, but CFR’s players seemed stuck for inspiration without Dan Petrescu on the bench. In the 68th minute, Păun sent a header after a corner executed by Petrila, but the ball hit the crossbar. The situation was repeated 10 minutes later, when it happens when he is on the edge of the box, but the ball stubbornly did not enter the goal and hit the bar again (78).
6 minutes before the end of regular time, Camara had the chance to close the match, but the shot was rejected by Sava in the corner (84). The champion’s answer came a minute later, from an already traditional corner kick, but the ball passed agonizingly in front of Yuri and past the Botoșaniu goal.