We were unable to repeat our feat from the spring, as FCSB left Miercurea Ciuc with a two-goal victory. We created few chances in front of the visitors’ goal, but it was encouraging that we finished the match with more possession than the Bucharest side.

We were unable to repeat our feat from the spring, as FCSB left Miercurea Ciuc with a two-goal victory. We created few chances in front of the visitors’ goal, but it was encouraging that we finished the match with more possession than the Bucharest side.

The first Superliga match of the season in Miercurea Ciuc was special in several respects. For the first time in many years, supporters were able to take their seats in the stands while enjoying a proper draught beer, making the occasion feel like a celebration for many. Unfortunately, the opening stages on the pitch—renovated during the summer break through the joint efforts of local businesses—gave us little cause to celebrate.

The visitors took the lead as early as the third minute. Anderson appeared to be stopped illegally on two occasions, but the referee’s whistle remained silent. At the end of the resulting counter-attack, Risto Radunović fired a left-footed shot from around 21 metres into the top-right corner. The VAR review did not alter the decision, leaving us behind very early in the match.

Five minutes later, Pap Eduard saved Mihai Toma’s long-range effort, before Anderson sent a shot over the crossbar. In the 14th minute, our goalkeeper comfortably collected Florin Tănase’s low but weak attempt.

FCSB doubled their advantage in the 16th minute. Following a short clearance, Dennis Politic sent the ball towards goal, and it took a deflection off Raul Palmeș before finding the net. Shortly afterwards, Politic aimed for the near post, but Pap pushed his powerful effort behind for a corner.

The tempo dropped from the middle of the first half. With a two-goal lead, the visitors began to conserve their energy, while our attacking moves were disrupted by several errors. In the 39th minute, David Popa fired over at the end of a counter-attack, while another promising cross from Anderson failed to find a team-mate inside the penalty area. Before the break, Pászka tried his luck from the right, curling a left-footed effort towards the far top corner, but Ștefan Târnovanu made the save.

The second half began with Anderson sending a long-range effort wide. In the 55th minute, a visitors’ corner caused several anxious moments in front of our goal, before Daniel Bîrligea found the side-netting. Two minutes later, David Popa was unable to direct the ball goalwards from six metres. Ronny Labonne then broke in behind the defensive line, but Pap Eduard stopped him at the end of his solo run.

Despite trailing by two goals, our team enjoyed more possession and finished the match with 53 per cent of the ball. Our biggest opportunity came in the 80th minute. Following a move by Anderson, the ball fell to Eppel Márton in front of goal, but we were unable to reduce the deficit even from this clear-cut chance. Anderson tried twice more in the closing stages, first firing over the crossbar and then shooting into Târnovanu’s arms.

Head coach Szabó István felt that, despite the result, there were positive elements in the performance on which the team could build.

“Anyone who watched the match could see that we never gave up for a moment. We can build much more effectively on this performance than on the one from the previous week. It was clear that there was a difference in quality between the two teams and, in my opinion, that decided the match. Full credit to the players, because they gave everything they possibly could on the pitch,” said our head coach, who also thanked the supporters for their encouragement:

“Our fans created a wonderful atmosphere, and I ask them to continue supporting us in the same way. I can promise that the team will always play with the same determination. We pledged to fight until the referee blew the final whistle, and this time we fulfilled that promise.”

Hegedűs János felt that, despite the two-goal defeat, FCSB did not outplay our team.

“They were undoubtedly two goals better, but I did not feel that they were superior to us in terms of the overall play. Unfortunately, we conceded twice from long-range shots, and we need to pay much more attention to that. At the same time, our performance was encouraging. That is still not enough, however. We have not started the league season well, so we need to begin collecting points,” said our defender.

Hegedűs also expressed his gratitude to the supporters, who stood by the team throughout the match, just as they had during the memorable meeting with FCSB in the spring:

“Unfortunately, we were unable to repay their support with goals or a victory this time, but we will do our best to give back all the affection they have shown us as soon as possible. There are no easy matches, particularly away from home, but given our current situation, we need to earn a point or all three.”

Our team now face two consecutive away fixtures. In the next round, we will visit FC Argeș in Mioveni on Friday, with kick-off scheduled for 6.30pm.

Superliga, regular season, Matchday 2
26 July 2026, 8.30pm
Miercurea Ciuc Municipal Stadium, approximately 2,000 spectators

FK Csíkszereda–FCSB 0–2 (0–2)

Goalscorers: Radunović (3), Politic (16)

Referee: Flueran Viorel Nicușor
Assistant referees: Filip Alexandru, Iftode Florin
Fourth official: Găman George Cătălin
VAR: Costreie Sorin
AVAR: Marcu Claudiu

Yellow cards: Trif (68), Anderson (75), Veres (88); Labonne (28), Toma (79)

FK Csíkszereda: Pap Eduard – Pászka Lóránd, Palmes Raul, Hegedűs János, Trif Răzvan (Ódor Máté, 83) – Veres Szilárd, Csürös Attila (Tajti Mátyás, 72) – Bödő Zoltán Efraim (Bota Darius, 66), Magyar Zsolt (Jozef Dolný, 66), Anderson Ceará – Eppel Márton (Stahl Albert, 83). Head coach: Szabó István.

FCSB: Târnovanu Ștefan – Labonne Ronny, Dawa Joyskim, Duarte André, Pădurariu Ricardo – Toma Mihai, Radunović Risto (João Paulo, 76) – Popa David (Stancu Luca, 76), Stoian Alexandru (Bîrligea Daniel, 46), Politic Dennis (Popescu Octavian, 46) – Tănase Florin (Cisotti Juri, 46). Head coach: Baciu Marius Achim.

Rédai Attila
Photo: Pál Zoltán