The first division is a whole different story — we’ve heard that many times. At our press conference before the first Superliga match in our history, we also heard concrete examples of why preparation for this season is so very different from previous ones.
The first division is a whole different story — we’ve heard that many times. At our press conference before the first Superliga match in our history, we also heard concrete examples of why preparation for this season is so very different from previous ones.
Ahead of the match against Dinamo Bucharest, which kicks off Monday at 21:30 as part of the first round of the Superliga, we held a press conference at the club headquarters. Given the extraordinary occasion, both the administrative and technical leadership of the club attended. Present were Szilárd Cseke, sporting director of FK Csíkszereda, head coach Róbert Ilyés, club manager János Bokor, and our defender Raul Palmeș.
“It’s a source of pride for the club, the city, and the county to prepare for the first Superliga match in our history. I’m happy to be part of this miracle, which was once just a dream and now has come true,” emphasized head coach Róbert Ilyés. He added that he looks forward to this season with confidence: “Having reached this level, we want to prove that we belong in the Superliga, and we want to show good football to our fans. The team has strengthened through a five-week preparation period before this first match, and I personally can’t wait for the championship to start,” he said.
“The first division is not just different on the sporting level, but also organizationally,” noted Szilárd Cseke, sporting director of FK Csíkszereda. “We’ve worked intensely for three or four weeks to prepare administratively for this first match as well. The contracts have been signed, so from that point of view, the team is ready for the challenge. Regarding the stadium, there was an official inspection a few weeks ago to certify it, and we had to solve some issues — for example, tasks related to VAR and the VAR room, which are new for us — and we also had to adjust camera positions. Compared to last year, we also had to change the way season tickets are sold: together with our partner we prepared both season and single-match tickets through an electronic platform. The way of entering the stadium has also changed — fans will now access the stands through QR-code gates. And from a communication perspective, we have to prepare much harder for these matches, because before and after each match there are serious scenarios and regulations to follow. Every match will be broadcasted, and not just spectators but media interest is much higher,” explained the sporting director.
Club manager János Bokor stated: “I welcome all FK supporters and I’m very happy to be part of this new challenge. A very tough and strong season awaits us, but we have prepared for it, and in consultation with the staff, we’ve tried to bring in players in key positions who, we hope, will justify the trust placed in them and do everything they can to help FK Csíkszereda succeed in its first Superliga season and remain in the first division.”
FK Csíkszereda defender Raul Palmeș added: “Together with my teammates we’re really looking forward to the first match — against a tough opponent, a team with strong tradition in Romanian football. It’s not the first time we play them — we faced them twice last year in the promotion play-offs. We hope we can take our revenge now, because I know it was hard for my teammates who played back then not to succeed in that challenge. But here we are, in the first division, and I expect a good match against them — because as an athlete, it’s the best feeling to play against such teams in the top league.”