Liga 1 Standings (After 33 matches - May 2017):
FCSB - 78 points (GD: +34)
CFR Cluj - 77 points (GD: +33)
Universitatea Craiova - 65 points
Five matches remained. FCSB held a one-point advantage with superior goal difference. The mathematics were simple: win every match, guarantee the title. Slip even once, and Cluj would pounce.
The pressure was immense, but the squad felt different now. Confident, not desperate. Hungry, not anxious. Andrei embodied this shift—his performances had elevated beyond anything expected of an 18-year-old.
Current Statistics (2016-17 Season):
Appearances: 28 (19 starts)
Goals: 11
Assists: 9
Average Rating: 7.3
Elite numbers for any player. Extraordinary for a teenager.
The media had fully embraced him now. Articles called him "Romania's brightest prospect since Ianis Hagi." Scouts from Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Sevilla were regularly spotted at FCSB matches. Even Inter Milan had sent representatives again, despite his earlier refusal.
Cătălin Sarmale, his agent, called with updates almost daily.
"Bayern's chief scout asked about your contract situation. Sevilla is preparing a formal approach for summer. And Inter... Inter is very interested in revisiting discussions."
"Not now," Andrei replied. "After the season. Let's finish what we started."
"Smart. Win the title, and your value doubles."
Money wasn't Andrei's primary motivation—he'd already proven that by turning down Inter once. But winning the championship? That mattered. That was why he'd stayed.
Liga 1 - Matchday 34:
ACS Poli Timișoara vs FCSB
Dan Păltinișanu Stadium, Timișoara
May 7th, 2017
Timișoara was in western Romania, near the Hungarian and Serbian borders. A difficult away trip, and Poli was fighting to avoid relegation—desperate and dangerous.
ACS Poli Timișoara Starting XI (4-4-2):
GK: Marius Stoian
DEF (RB): Claudiu Belu
CB: Bogdan Mitrea
CB: Ionuț Rada
DEF (LB): Mihai Răduț
RM: Raul Rusescu
CM: Alin Dobrosavlevici
CM: Ovidiu Petre
LM: Cătălin Munteanu
ST: Alexandru Țigănașu
ST: Dorin Rotariu
FCSB couldn't afford to underestimate anyone. Every team in the relegation battle played like their lives depended on it—because professionally, they did.
FCSB Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
GK: Andrei Vlad
DEF (RB): Romario Benzar
CB: Marko Momčilović
CB: Ionuț Panțîru
DEF (LB): Risto Radunović
CDM: Mihai Pintilii (C)
CDM: Filipe Teixeira
RW: Florinel Coman
CAM: Constantin Budescu
LW/CAM: Andrei Luca
ST: Harlem Gnohere
The match was brutal from the start. Timișoara pressed aggressively, tackling hard, making every inch of the pitch a battle. The referee let physical play continue—this was Romanian football at its grittiest.
In the 15th minute, disaster nearly struck. A long ball over the top caught FCSB's defense flat. Rotariu was through on goal, but Vlad rushed out brilliantly and smothered the chance.
"Wake up!" Pintilii screamed at his defense.
FCSB couldn't find their rhythm. The pitch was heavy, the tackles fierce, the atmosphere hostile. By halftime, it remained 0-0—a scoreline that felt like a defeat.
In the dressing room, Reghecampf was direct.
"They're trying to make it ugly because they can't beat us playing football. Don't get dragged into their game. Move the ball quickly, create space, punish them."
The second half began with FCSB controlling possession more effectively. Timișoara was tiring—their early intensity couldn't be sustained for ninety minutes.
In the 63rd minute, the breakthrough finally came.
Teixeira intercepted a pass in midfield and immediately looked forward. Andrei had drifted inside from the left, finding space between Timișoara's defensive and midfield lines—the pocket where playmakers thrive.
The pass came quickly. Andrei controlled it with one touch, then accelerated into space. Two defenders converged on him.
He could shoot from distance—the goalkeeper was poorly positioned. But Gnohere was making a diagonal run, and the passing lane was tight but available.
Decision Point:
Vision: 61.7/99
Passing accuracy under pressure: High
Andrei threaded the ball through with his right foot, splitting both defenders. Gnohere collected it, took one touch, and buried it past the goalkeeper.
GOAL. 0-1 FCSB.
Assist recorded
Vision: +0.2 (identified difficult passing lane)
Passing: +0.1
Fifteen minutes later, Budescu added a second from a free kick. Final score: 0-2 FCSB.
Three points. Four matches remaining.
That evening, CFR Cluj also won, beating Pandurii 1-0. The gap remained one point.
Updated Standings:
FCSB - 81 points
CFR Cluj - 80 points
Liga 1 - Matchday 35:
FCSB vs Viitorul Constanța
Stadionul Național
May 14th, 2017
Viitorul was Gheorghe Hagi's project—the legendary Romanian player's attempt to develop young talent. They played attractive football and had several promising prospects, including winger Andrei Ivan and midfielder Ianis Hagi, Gheorghe's talented son.
FCSB Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
GK: Andrei Vlad
DEF (RB): Romario Benzar
CB: Marko Momčilović
CB: Ionuț Panțîru
DEF (LB): Risto Radunović
CDM: Mihai Pintilii (C)
CDM: Filipe Teixeira
RW: Florinel Coman
CAM: Constantin Budescu
LW/CAM: Andrei Luca
ST: Denis Alibec (Gnohere rested)
Viitorul Constanța Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
GK: Vlad Achim
DEF (RB): Cristian Ganea
CB: Bogdan Țîru
CB: Virgil Ghiță
DEF (LB): Sorin Rădoi
CDM: Alexandru Mățan
CDM: Mihai Costache
RW: Gabriel Torje
CAM: Ianis Hagi
LW: Eric de Oliveira
ST: Gheorghe Grozav
The match was entertaining, open, both teams trying to play football properly. Young Ianis Hagi showed flashes of his father's genius—clever passes, intelligent movement. At just 18, like Andrei, he was Romania's other great hope.
The two young stars played like they were in competition—each trying to outdo the other with moments of skill.
In the 28th minute, Andrei opened the scoring. Budescu's through ball split Viitorul's defense, and Andrei raced onto it. The goalkeeper rushed out—Andrei rounded him calmly and slotted into the empty net.
GOAL. 1-0 FCSB.
Goal scored
Pace: Used effectively (+0.1)
Composure: +0.1
But Viitorul equalized before halftime. Ianis Hagi created the goal with a brilliant pass that unlocked FCSB's defense, and Grozav finished clinically. 1-1.
The second half was tense. Both teams created chances, both defenses held firm. As minutes ticked away, the stadium grew anxious—a draw wouldn't be disaster, but it would invite pressure.
In the 83rd minute, Reghecampf made a change—bringing on the pace of Dennis Man for the tiring Alibec.
The substitution proved decisive.
In the 88th minute, Man received the ball on the right wing and drove at his tired defender. He cut inside and his shot was blocked—but the rebound fell perfectly for Andrei, lurking at the edge of the box.
One touch to control, one strike with his right foot.
The ball deflected slightly off a defender and looped over the goalkeeper.
GOAL. 2-1 FCSB.
Goal scored - Late winner
Positioning: +0.2 (right place for rebound)
Overall Rating: 73.3 → 73.7
The stadium erupted. Andrei was mobbed by teammates, the relief palpable. Three crucial points secured in the dying minutes.
Final whistle: 2-1 FCSB.
Meanwhile, CFR Cluj also won, maintaining the one-point gap.
Updated Standings:
FCSB - 84 points
CFR Cluj - 83 points
Three matches remaining. One point advantage. The title race would go down to the wire.
That night, after the match, after the media obligations, after everything, Andrei collapsed on Elena's couch, completely drained.
"Three more," he said to the ceiling. "Just three more matches."
Elena brought him tea—a habit she'd picked up from her grandmother. "You're playing the best football of your life at exactly the right time. You know that?"
"Doesn't feel like it. Feels like I'm barely holding on."
"That's because you're giving everything. That's what champions do."
Andrei sat up, taking the tea. "What if we don't win? What if Cluj overtakes us in the final weeks?"
"Then you'll have still had an incredible season. Eleven goals, nine assists, European football—that's remarkable for an 18-year-old."
"But I stayed to win the title. If we don't—"
"Then you tried your best, and that's all anyone can ask." Elena sat beside him. "Andrei, stop carrying the weight of everything alone. You have teammates, coaches, support. You don't have to be perfect."
"But I want to be."
"I know. That's what I love about you. But perfection doesn't exist. Excellence does. And you've been excellent all season."
They sat in comfortable silence, her head on his shoulder, his tea cooling in his hands.
"Whatever happens," Andrei said quietly, "this season changed my life. Not just football—everything. I found myself. I found you. I learned what I'm capable of."
"And next season you'll learn even more. That's how growth works."
"Will you still be here? Next season, I mean."
Elena lifted her head to look at him. "Where else would I be?"
"I don't know. Following your own dreams, your own career—"
"My dream includes you. Maybe not every second of every day, but in the big moments, the important ones—I want to be there." She kissed him softly. "We'll figure out the logistics. But yes, Andrei. I'll still be here."
Mental State: Stabilized
Emotional Support: Maximum
Ready for final push
They made love that night with a tenderness born of exhaustion and emotion, two young people clinging to each other against the pressure of the world outside.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges. But tonight, they had this.
And sometimes, that was enough.