Știre devastatoare: FC Petrolul Ploiești pregătește debutul lui Mario Bratu împotriva…
As the Romanian football league gears up to resume next month, reigning champions FC Steaua București find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Despite being unbeaten so far this season, they sit in third place, trailing surprise contenders FC Astra Giurgiu and FC Petrolul Ploiești. The coming months will test whether Steaua can reclaim their position at the top and secure their 25th league title.
Steaua’s performance has been impressive, with 11 wins and six draws from 17 matches. However, their three-point deficit to Astra and one-point lag behind Petrolul adds pressure. With two postponed home matches against CS Concordia Chiajna and FC Universitatea Cluj scheduled before the league fully resumes on February 22, Steaua has an opportunity to close the gap. Their unbeaten domestic record from the autumn season, coupled with a run to the Romanian Cup semi-finals, underscores their strength despite their exit from European competitions.
However, challenges remain. FC Astra Giurgiu has maintained their momentum, topping the league after a historic 2013 campaign. The club achieved its highest-ever finish in the previous season, followed by a strong debut in UEFA Europa League qualifiers. Astra coach Daniel Isăilă, though acknowledging Steaua as favorites, takes pride in his team’s journey and looks to capitalize on their strong start to the season.
Similarly, FC Petrolul Ploiești is enjoying a resurgence. After winning their third Romanian Cup last season, they have conceded just 11 goals in 19 league matches and suffered only one defeat. Under the leadership of young coach Cosmin Contra, Petrolul remains a formidable contender. Contra, reflecting on their achievements, expressed confidence: “If we maintain the same focus, we can continue to challenge for the title.”
One common thread among these leading teams is the presence of youthful, ambitious coaches. Astra’s Isăilă, Petrolul’s Contra, and Steaua’s Laurențiu Reghecampf bring fresh energy to the league. Reghecampf, in particular, has his sights set on a domestic double, confidently stating, “We are the strongest team and aim to dominate the championship.”
The stakes are high as the league resumes. Steaua’s experience and historical dominance make them the team to beat, but Astra and Petrolul have proven their mettle with consistent performances. Whether Steaua can overcome these challengers and reassert their supremacy remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – Romanian football fans are in for an exciting spr
ing season.
