Champions: FCSB move on, now Virtus head to Conference League Q2

All in all, Virtus can be reasonably satisfied after their first away trip in European competition. Following last week’s first leg against FCSB at the Stadium, the club from Acquaviva flew to Bucharest for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League First Qualifying Round. If a week ago the Romanian champions had already all but sealed qualification with their 7-1 win, at the Stadionul Steaua (almost seven thousand fans in attendance in a venue that can hold over thirty thousand) Elias Charalambous’ side won again last night, this time 4-0, and march on in Europe’s premier club competition. Bizzotto opted for a more cautious 4-5-1, with Angeli as the lone striker but with technical players such as Lombardi, Buonocunto, Ciacci and Rizzo in midfield. As expected, it was the Romanians who took control of the game and they threatened early on when Creţu struck the outside of the post. Virtus tried to react but on 20 minutes the hosts broke the deadlock through Băluță, who beat Passaniti with a left-footed effort from around the penalty spot. Băluță was involved again a few minutes later when a cross from the by-line by Luis Phelipe found the Romanian playmaker’s head – almost by chance – and he sent the ball crashing against the crossbar. The second goal, however, soon followed: a corner was flicked on at the near post by Ştefănescu and found Edjouma, who from close range left Passaniti no chance. Moments later the neroverde goalkeeper produced a stunning save to deny FCSB a third from a Haruţ free-kick on the edge of the box. But on 36 minutes the third goal did arrive, again from a corner and again from Edjouma: Passaniti misjudged his punch, Rinaldi inadvertently helped the ball on to the French midfielder, who nodded in for 3-0 to complete his brace. The second half, however, saw a more incisive Virtus, as shown by Lombardi’s fine effort from the edge of the area on 52 minutes, which did not curl quite enough. Just a minute later came another chance for the Acquaviva side, with Rizzo swivelling in a good position but failing to hit the target. A third chance followed in quick succession for Bizzotto’s men, thanks to Buonocunto’s perfectly weighted through ball for Ciacci’s run; he met it first time with a good strike but keeper Vlad was equal to it. After Virtus’ excellent spell, the Romanians stepped on the gas again when Chiricheş’ right-footed attempt shaved the post. On 71 minutes Popa produced a brilliant piece of play, weaving past a couple of men in tight space before going for goal with a diagonal effort, but Passaniti came up with a crucial save. A minute later, though (72’), Charalambous’ side made it four: Popa tried his luck from distance, Passaniti failed to hold, and the quickest to react was Miculescu – who had scored twice in the first leg – to wrap up the match. FCSB now move on to the next round, where they will face quality opposition in the shape of Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv. For Virtus, meanwhile, the UEFA Europa Conference League now awaits, where in the Second Qualifying Round they will meet Estonian outfit Flora Tallinn. The first leg is scheduled for less than a week’s time – Tuesday 23 July at 21:00 – at the San Marino Stadium.  

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UEFA Champions League, First Qualifying Round Second Leg | FCSB-Virtus 4-0 FCSB Vlad; Kiki (46' Panțîru), Chiricheş, Haruţ, Creţu; Edjouma (46' Dav. Popa), Alhassan; Luis Phelipe (46' Musi), Băluță (61' Olaru), Ștefănescu (61' Șut); Miculescu Substitutes: Târnovanu, Lixandru, Dan. Popa, Antwi, Pandele, Ngezana, Dav. Popa Head coach: Elias Charalambou VIRTUS Passaniti; Gori, De Lucia, Rinaldi (75' Pupeschi), Sabato; Lombardi, Buonocunto, Montanari (75' Golinucci), Ciacci (65' Vallocchia), Rizzo (58' Muggeo); Angeli (58' Piovaccari) Substitutes: Gentilini, Battistini, Ceccaroli, Benincasa Head coach: Luigi Bizzotto   Referee: Stefan Ebner (AUT) Assistant referees: Robert Steinacher (AUT), Manuel Undesser (AUT) Fourth official: Safak Barmaksiz (AUT) VAR: Manuel Schuettengruber (AUT) AVAR: Julian Weinberger (AUT)   Scorers: 20' Băluță, 28' and 36' Edjouma, 72' Miculescu Booked: Buonocunto Attendance: 7,262 spectators  

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