FCSB narrowly won the away match against Farul Constanța with a score of 1-0, adding another brick in the fierce battle for the first title of the red and blue team after a long 9-year wait.
The only goal came from a set-piece, Adrian Șut heading in the 82nd minute, after a cross that seemed almost hand-delivered by the same fateful Florinel Coman. It was the 22nd goal scored by FCSB this season from set-pieces.
It wasn't an extremely spectacular match by the seaside, although goal opportunities were not lacking, at both ends, but most notably at Târnovanu's goal, who had to work seriously on several occasions, especially against Munteanu's chances, but also against an unfortunate attempt by Ngezana, which could have ended up in a splendid own goal, just before being substituted due to injury, replaced by Dawa in the second half.
We mention the return of Vlad Chiricheș on the field, back after a 7-month wait, a red and blue captain with a solid performance today, particularly vigilant and attentive in defense.
It was also a tense match, with lots of tension and many yellow cards, referee Bîrsan showing yellow to almost half of the 22 main actors of the evening on the stage in Dobrogea, with six yellows for FCSB and 4 for the hosts from Farul.
FCSB now leads by 7 points over Craiova and by 10 lengths above Rapid and CFR Cluj, with a crucial match ahead that could calm the waters at the top of the standings, the home game against Universitatea Craiova next sunday at the National Arena.
Starting lineups:
Farul: Buzbuchi – Mihai Popescu, Larie, Gustavo Henrique, Dussaut – Ganea, Queiros, Grameni – Deaconu, Munteanu, Cojocaru. Substitutes: Mușat, Boli, Kiki, Dănuleasa, Grosu, Nedelcu, Casap, Budescu, N. Popescu, Stoian, Rivaldinho, Grigoryan. Coach: Gică Hagi.
FCSB: Târnovanu – V. Crețu, Ngezana, Chiricheș, Radunovic – Lixandru, Șut, Olaru – Radaslavescu, Băluță, Coman. Substitutes: Udrea, Vlad, Dawa, Haruț, Oct. Popescu, Miculescu, Pandele, Antwi, M. Toma, Alhassan, D. Popa. Coach: Elias Charalambous.
Referee: Marcel Bîrsan.