We are preparing for our fourth competitive encounter with FCSB. Although we are once again not considered favourites, everyone is quietly hoping that we can repeat the performance from our most recent home meeting.

We are preparing for our fourth competitive encounter with FCSB. Although we are once again not considered favourites, everyone is quietly hoping that we can repeat the performance from our most recent home meeting. On that occasion, Attila Csürös’s late headed goal earned us victory over the Bucharest side and effectively secured our place in the top flight.

Our head-to-head record gives us reason for confidence: we remain unbeaten at home against FCSB, with one win and one draw, while our only defeat in Bucharest came by a single goal. This might suggest that FCSB’s style suits us – or, conversely, that the Bucharest side find ours particularly difficult to handle.

However, head coach István Szabó stressed at the pre-match press conference that FK are by no means the favourites. Following the 3–0 opening-round defeat to Corvinul, the coaching staff analysed the match in detail, and the head coach expects the team to improve in two key areas.

– We reviewed the video the following day and discussed the lessons with the players. First of all, we need to improve in our duels, and secondly, we need to have more possession. The data showed that we were clearly second best in those two areas. In modern football, it is very difficult to win matches without a good success rate in duels. That surprised me as well, because this team is normally characterised by strong challenges and winning the ball through them – István Szabó explained.

According to the head coach, one advantage compared with the previous round is that the coaching staff already have several recent recordings of FCSB matches at their disposal. They have analysed the opposition both in the league and in European competition.

– We are talking about a very strong team that play high-quality attacking football. We are not the favourites, but that does not mean we will take to the pitch with our hands up. We want to give the supporters in Miercurea Ciuc a performance after which we can leave the field with our heads held high. That could bring us one point or even three, although defeat is, of course, also a possibility in sport. We must show character, however. I want to see progress, and I expect a better performance than last week – the FK head coach emphasised.

István Szabó also stressed that he wants his players to raise their energy levels not only when facing a high-profile opponent, as the same three points are at stake in every league match.

– We should not play with more energy simply because FCSB are coming here. Every match is very important to us. This team have already shown several times that they can beat opponents with stronger squads. I expect us to give one hundred per cent every time. As sportsmen, we can lose a match because that is part of sport. What I do not want to see in the data, however, is that we did not do everything we could – he stated.

Zsolt Magyar made his Superliga debut for FK Csíkszereda against Corvinul. According to the summer signing, the opening round already demonstrated that the team face an extremely demanding season.

– My first impression is that this is by no means an easy league, and the season will not be a walk in the park for us. I believe we already owe our supporters a great deal after the opening match, and we want to make amends on Sunday. We are not the favourites, and we do not expect to dominate or dictate the tempo for 90 minutes. However, if we are more organised and perform better as a team, we can give ourselves a chance of earning points, and that is our aim – said Zsolt Magyar.

Attila Csürös has particularly fond memories of facing FCSB, having scored the winner in the most recent home encounter. The midfielder knows, however, that Sunday will be an entirely different match.

– It is always nice to look back on that game and that goal, but Sunday’s match will be completely different. We need to think and act as a team, and if we create chances, we must take them. The atmosphere in the dressing room is good, we have worked well this week, and I hope everyone will be one hundred per cent ready by kick-off – Attila Csürös said.

The academy graduate is also counting on the supporters’ backing in the first home match of the season.

– I hope as many people as possible will come to the stadium on Sunday. There will certainly be away supporters as well, but that must not affect us. Our fans have always given us a huge boost when they have been behind us, and we will be counting on them again on Sunday. We warmly welcome everyone to the stadium – he added.

István Szabó does not expect FCSB to field a weakened side in Miercurea Ciuc and does not attach particular significance to the Bucharest team’s busy schedule.

– I will not fall into the trap of underestimating them. I see FCSB as a very strong team, and I expect them to field their strongest available squad. Athletes should be able to recover within three or four days, and particularly at the beginning of the season, fatigue or being overworked cannot be used as an excuse. We must focus exclusively on our own performance – the FK head coach concluded.

The FK Csíkszereda–FCSB match in the second round of the Superliga regular season kicks off at 8.30pm on Sunday at the Municipal Stadium in Miercurea Ciuc. The match will be broadcast by Digi Sport 1 and Prima Sport 1.

Rédai Attila
Photo: Pál Zoltán