• This is a reminder of 3 IMPORTANT RULES:

    1- External self-promotion websites or apps are NOT allowed here, like Discord/Twitter/Patreon/etc.

    2- Do NOT post in other languages. English-only.

    3- Crack/Warez/Piracy talk is NOT allowed.

    Breaking any of the above rules will result in your messages being deleted and you will be banned upon repetition.

    Please, stop by this thread SoccerGaming Forum Rules And Guidelines and make sure you read and understand our policies.

    Thank you!

CL Group E: Steaua - Lyon [P+R]

A

adialex

Reserve Team


Steaua's credentials face serious test

The visit of Olympique Lyonnais must be one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures in FC Steaua Bucuresti's recent history. It marks not just Steaua's first home game since last December at their revamped stadium but also their first UEFA Champions League group stage fixture in Bucharest in ten years.

• Steaua, who played their qualifying round matches at the Lia Manoliu stadium, go into the match on the back of a a dream start in Group E, following their 4-1 win at FC Dynamo Kyiv on 13 September. The Romanian champions needed just three minutes to go in front through Sorin Ghionea and although Dynamo drew level, further strikes from Valentin Badea (24) and Nicolae Dica (43, 79) secured a handsome victory.

High expectations
• Expectancy levels will be sky-high when Cosmin Olaroiu's team step out to face Olympique Lyonnais. Despite the excitement stirred by their defeat of Dynamo, however, Lyon's visit should provide a better measure of Steaua's prospects. UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists for the past three seasons, the French champions underlined their undoubted quality by beating Real Madrid CF 2-0 in their opening assignment.

• Just as 12 months previously, when they humbled Madrid 3-0 on Matchday 1, Gérard Houllier's men flew out of the starting blocks at the Stade Gerland, taking an eleventh-minute lead through Fred before Tiago added a second goal after 31 minutes.

• Whatever the outcome of Madrid's meeting with Dynamo in Spain in the group's other match, both Steaua and Lyon know that another win in Bucharest will give them an outright lead in the section with six points.

• Steaua won their most recent encounter with French opposition, beating RC Lens 4-0 in the UEFA Cup group stage last season on their way to reaching the semi-finals. Victoras Iacob, Dorin Goian and Dica (2) were the scorers.

• Lyon have faced Romanian opponents just once before, when they overcame AFC Rapid Bucuresti 2-1 in a UEFA Intertoto Cup tie in Bucharest in 1997. Goalkeeper Grégory Coupet was in the Lyon team that day.

• The Lyon coach, Houllier, got the better of Steaua during his time in charge of Liverpool FC. In a UEFA Cup second-round tie in 2003/04, Houllier's team drew 1-1 in Bucharest before a 1-0 win at Anfield.
 
$

$teauA

Superstar
This is gonna be tough. I'm looking forward to it but I'm also not looking forward to it at the same time.
 
A

adialex

Reserve Team
$teauA said:
That was a great game (Y)

On the first Dica goal, Bostina was simply superb, almost Ronaldinho-like. If he can give us that sort of a performance tomorrow then I'll be very happy.
Click to expand...

Bostina could also play tomorrow but his last games were pretty bad, I sincerly prefer Cristocea.. in romanian newspapapers are saying that both Cristocea and Paraschiv are fit for tomorrow's game, also Oli can play with Oprita on the right and Nicolita on the left...I'm sure Oli will choose the best possible option for tomorrow's game (C)
 
C

Callum

Guest
i didnt know it was crime to predict against steaua, and its pretty obvious steaua are the weaker team here, and with lyons performances against real madrid and in the league, I dont think my prediction is farfetched.
 
A

adialex

Reserve Team
4-0? it's a bit harsh don't you think? Steaua plays on homeground :ewan: , we never took 4 goals in European Cups at home since 1997
 
You must log in or register to reply here.


Top