Champions: FCSB hit seven, but late joy for Virtus through Battistini

It was a bittersweet debut in the Champions League for Virtus. In the first qualifying round of Europe’s premier club competition, played last night at the San Marino Stadium, Romanian champions FCSB – formerly Steaua București, winners of the European Cup in 1986 – ran out 7-1 winners, taking a firm grip on qualification. The sweet part for the Acquaviva club arrived at the end, just before the ninetieth minute, with a splendid goal from Manuel Battistini. The Romanians arrived at the Stadium backed by a big travelling support – the away stand was almost full – driving on their favourites. On the pitch, Charalambous’ side meant business from the off: captain Olaru – recently seen at the Euros in the Romanian national team shirt against the Netherlands and Belgium – picked out Băluță on the edge of the box, his shot towards the near post forcing a sharp save from Passaniti. A minute later came another chance for the visitors: a cross from the left by Edjouma into the area, De Lucia and Ngezana collide and go down, then in the continuation of the move Passaniti also brings down Popa. Referee Bandić stopped play for a potential penalty and, called to the VAR, went to review the incident. The referee judged there to be a handball by De Lucia in his coming together with Ngezana and duly awarded a penalty to FCSB. From the spot, Olaru made no mistake. Despite taking the lead, the Romanians continued to press relentlessly. On 11 minutes they doubled their advantage, once again through captain Olaru who, fed in the inside-right channel by Edjouma, produced a perfect finish into the top corner for 2-0. Shortly before the quarter-hour mark it was again Olaru breaking through along the byline, managing to burst into the box and shoot, but Passaniti came out well to avert yet another threat. The FCSB skipper was involved again in the third goal, which followed shortly after: in the 22nd minute, Olaru launched a long ball from the halfway line for Daniel Popa, who drove towards goal; Passaniti rushed out but could only get a slight touch on the ball, allowing the Romanian forward to go past him and, with the goal unguarded, easily tap in the third. The Romanian champions weren’t satisfied and made it four on 27 minutes: Luis Phelipe carried the ball forward and, on reaching the edge of the box, played it across; De Lucia got a touch but the ball ricocheted kindly for Popa who, with a dummy, took Passaniti out of the game and slotted into the far corner for his brace. Virtus then began to show themselves, despite the heavy scoreline: Sabato made the most of the space given to him by the Romanian defence and went for goal; his shot was powerful and, if nothing else, drew warm applause from the stands to encourage Bizzotto’s side. Captain Olaru’s work-rate was tireless and, shortly before the half-hour, he almost completed his hat-trick with a curling effort that went just wide. But it was only a matter of minutes before the fifth goal for FCSB arrived, again via the Popa–Olaru axis: Popa reached the byline and cut the ball back for his onrushing team-mate, who beat Passaniti to complete his hat-trick on 37 minutes. Shortly before stoppage time came a chance for the Acquaviva club: Pupeschi released Benincasa in behind, the Virtus forward broke into the box and then went down in a tussle with centre-back Ngezana, but referee Bandić saw a foul in attack by the Neroverde striker. After two minutes of added time, the sides went in at the break with FCSB 5-0 up. At half-time came the first changes, with Bizzotto sending on Elia Ciacci in place of Nicolò Vallocchia. The start of the second half belonged to Virtus, who seemed to have come to terms with a first period dominated by the Romanians. Early on, Sabato drove to the byline and delivered a good ball, but the Romanian defence turned it behind for a corner. From the resulting set play, FCSB’s backline cleared to the edge of the box where Pupeschi pounced and struck goalwards; his first effort was blocked by the Romanian wall and, on the follow-up after a smart feint, he managed to get away a right-footed shot that missed by very little. Charalambous’ team were in no mood to sit back and looked to stretch their lead again. They went close on 56 minutes when a curling right-foot strike from Luis Phelipe flashed not far wide of the target. On 65 minutes the Romanians found the net again through substitute Alhassan, but the referee ruled it out for a foul by the forward on Passaniti. FCSB immediately went back on the attack in search of more goals. On 69 minutes it took a superb save from Passaniti to deny Popa his hat-trick. But just a minute later came goal number six: another effort from the ever-dangerous Popa was beaten out by Passaniti, but on the rebound Miculescu arrived, sold him a dummy and finished. The Romanian whirlwind kept blowing, bringing two more big chances in quick succession. First, a curling effort from winger Luis Phelipe shaved the post. Then, just two minutes later, came the seventh goal for FCSB: a through ball from Edjouma released Miculescu, who beat Passaniti with a low drive. The Romanians still did not let up, carving out another double chance: first Alhassan’s shot was parried by Passaniti, then Antwi’s determined run ended with a strike that clipped the top of the crossbar. Bizzotto also brought on Federico Piovaccari, the former San Marino Calcio centre-forward and ex-FCSB player (back when the club was still called Steaua București), who was greeted with an ovation from his former fans. Then came the 87th minute and a huge moment of satisfaction for Virtus in their very first European outing. Luigi Rizzo swung in an excellent cross from deep, sending the ball into the area where Manuel Battistini stretched superbly and, with a true striker’s movement, steered it into the corner, beating Târnovanu and prompting applause from the almost 2,000 fans inside the Stadium for the San Marino midfielder. Before the final whistle there was time for one last chance for the Romanian side, again for Popa who was still chasing his hat-trick, but from the penalty spot area he fired over. That was the final action of a match that clearly went FCSB’s way, but Virtus could still savour their first-ever goal in European competition. In a week’s time comes the return leg in Bucharest.

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UEFA Champions League, First Qualifying Round, First Leg | Virtus – FCSB 1-7   VIRTUS Passaniti; Pupeschi, Rinaldi (78' Gori), De Lucia; Battistini, Golinucci, Montanari (82' Angeli), Sabato (66' Rizzo); Buonocunto, Vallocchia (46' Ciacci); Benincasa (82' Piovaccari) Substitutes: De Angelis, Gentilini, Lombardi, Tortori, Muggeo, Ceccaroli Coach: Luigi Bizzotto   FCSB Târnovanu; Kiki, Haruţ, Ngezana (46' Dawa), Creţu; Edjouma, Șut (46' Alhassan); Luis Phelipe, Olaru (61' Lixandru), Băluță (46' Miculescu); Popa Substitutes: Vlad, Radunović Coach: Elias Charalambou   Referee: Antoni Bandić (BIH) Assistant referees: Amer Macić (BIH), Damir Lazić (BIH) Fourth official: Dragan Petrovic (BIH) VAR: Alen Borošak (SVN) AVAR: Asmir Sagrković (SVN)   Scorers: 6' pen., 10' and 37' Olaru, 22' and 27' Popa, 70' and 73' Miculescu, 86' Battistini Booked: Golinucci, Pupeschi, Kiki Attendance: 1,833

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