The mood in the dressing room has changed, and our performance against Craiova has given us more reasons for optimism. Our Superliga team travels to Oțelul Galați on Friday, aiming to turn an improving performance into points.

The mood in the dressing room has changed, and our performance against Craiova has given us more reasons for optimism. Our Superliga team travels to Oțelul Galați on Friday, aiming to turn an improving performance into points.

Sunday’s match against the reigning champions did not bring the points we had hoped for, but it did give us something we badly needed: a foundation to build on. Our team played with greater determination and unity, created chances and showed that we can compete with one of the strongest sides in the league. In round 12 of the Superliga regular season, we must build on those positives and take the next step: turn encouraging signs into a result.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, head coach Valentin Suciu highlighted several positives from the Craiova game that also reflected the team’s growing mental strength.

“There was unity, there was fight, and we managed to create chances. Unfortunately, we couldn’t turn them into goals, but we’ve worked on that, and we have to take our opportunities in the next match. Another positive for me is that, when I watched the previous games, I saw the team collapse mentally after conceding. That didn’t happen this time. We kept fighting after the goal, tried to put pressure on our opponents and looked for an equaliser,” he said.

The change was felt in the stands, too. Despite the difficult situation and another defeat, our supporters stood by the team throughout, and their encouragement reached the dressing room as well. That allowed preparations for the next challenge to begin in a different atmosphere after Sunday’s game.

“Let’s not forget that we have just one point after eleven rounds, which is very little. But the supporters’ unconditional backing gives us confidence going forward. We could already feel its effect: despite the defeat, the mood within the team wasn’t as low between the two matches. That allowed us to work on the things we need to improve for the game in Galați,” Valentin Suciu explained.

Our head coach believes that restoring belief is essential if we are to start climbing the table. He also sees a key role in that process for the fighting spirit associated with the club and the region:

“As I said from the very first moment, the most important thing is to believe and have confidence. Without that, we have no chance. As long as there is a little hope, we have to make the most of it, and we will. I know the identity and mentality of this club and this region. Somewhere along the way, some of that has been lost. We have to recover it, and then the confidence will come too. I hope we can get our first three points, which could give the team an even greater boost.”

This time, there were only a few days between Sunday’s match and Friday’s fixture. The coaching staff focused primarily on making us more decisive in front of goal and helping us keep our composure when chances come. We managed to create opportunities against Craiova; in Galați, we will need to turn them into goals.

“We’ve tried to sharpen up the situations we also managed to create against Craiova, so that this time we finish our chances. We’re going there for the three points; we want to bring all three home. But to do that, we have to be much more alert. Those small mistakes we made against Craiova, particularly for the goal we conceded, must not happen again, and they won’t,” our head coach stated.

To achieve that at Oțelul, we will have to overcome a tough opponent. Our hosts have also changed coaches, which could give their players an extra incentive to prove themselves. Valentin Suciu drew particular attention to the attacking approach of the Galați side in front of their own supporters:

“They have their own philosophy and identity. Especially at home, they play quite aggressive, attacking football, and their supporters drive them forward. The players also want to prove themselves because they have a new coach too. I hope our boys take to the pitch with even more confidence, as they did in the second half against Craiova. We badly need points, and we’ll do everything we can to get them.”

Making his first press conference appearance, Nino Kukovec also senses the change. Our Slovenian forward joined the squad almost a month ago, and although his opening weeks brought plenty of new experiences, he says he is settling in well.

“Everyone welcomed me very well, especially my teammates. I speak a lot with the coach, and he also pushes me to adapt as quickly as possible. You need to feel relaxed to play football, and I know that very well. I’m here to use my ability to help the team in this situation and achieve better results. I think everyone saw against Craiova that we played differently from before,” Kukovec said.

Our forward feels he has much more to offer than he has been able to show so far. He has already scored in the friendly against Gloria Bistrița and is working to contribute as much as possible to the team’s results in the league as well.

“I haven’t shown everything I’m capable of yet. To do that, you need to play; you need minutes on the pitch. I can help our attacking play with my pace and my attacking mindset. I always want to attack, score goals and put pressure on the opposition. My mentality is to always want to win and leave my heart out on the pitch.”

We will need that same determination in Galați. Kukovec believes the work being done in training must now start translating into league results:

“Every match is difficult, whether we’re playing the team at the top of the table or the one directly above us. We have to give one hundred per cent, even two hundred per cent. We have to start picking up points. We have to show the quality we have and prove in the league as well that we can change our current situation for the better.”

Oțelul Galați–FK Csíkszereda will take place on Friday, 16 October, at 18:00 at the Oțelul Stadium in Galați, in round 12 of the Superliga regular season. Digi Sport and Prima Sport will broadcast the match live, and we also plan to provide Hungarian-language radio commentary on our club’s Facebook page.

Come on, FK! Come on, Szereda! Come on, Székely Land!