Ultras_STEAUA 2 - 1 Great (380779380)

It was an exceptionally sunny day for the crowd of 40628 that came out to Ultras_STEAUA Arena. Thomas Carlsson was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Jakub Kupc and Oliver Börjesson. Ultras_STEAUA decided to use a 3-4-3 set up. The following players took the field: Drăguş - Mazilu, Marinescu, Almăşan - Catinca, Baciu, Teodorescu, Drăgan - Fraschini, Ruje, Paşnicu.

Great started off with a 3-5-2 lineup. They fielded: Ćurčija - Cifuentes, Stuber, Weber - Gheorghiu, Pistol, Hajszán, Petrişor, Popescu - Cisło, Coccinello.

At the beginning of the game, Great appeared to have already taken this victory to the bank. After the game, the most discussed event will probably be the penalty given after 20 minutes that gave the visitors the 0 - 1 lead. Despite the controversy, R. Gheorghiu struck home the penalty, as cool as anything. Several players seemed a little dazed by the warm weather, and were repeatedly tricked by the clever and agile G. Ruje. The Ultras_STEAUA coach was desperate to reverse his team's fortunes in the game, and ordered his team to change strategy. L. Drăguş got a fingertip on M. Coccinello's shot from the left 27 minutes in, and managed to keep the visitors from going up another goal. After the ball was lifted in from the left, M. Cifuentes was on his own in the home side's penalty area and should have scored after 28 minutes, but missed, probably due to lack of concentration. After 30 minutes, Ultras_STEAUA used a short break in the game to take new instructions from their coach. 0 - 1 was the score after the first half. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Ultras_STEAUA, with 51 percent of the ball.

Great were in the lead, even though they'd severely underestimated their opponents. The team looked slightly more willing to put in the necessary work as the second half started. R. Paşnicu showed the skills that make him a real crowd pleaser as he, after 48 minutes, wove through the guests' entire central defence and put the 1 - 1 equaliser away. The referee showed Great's E. Cisło the yellow card after a particularly nasty challenge. The heat made it a terrible day for A. Marinescu, who seemed unable to keep up with the other players. They were singing the praises of G. Ruje 61 minutes into the match after his speculative chip from the middle of the penalty box found its way over the visitors' keeper to make the score 2 - 1 to Ultras_STEAUA. The Great players listened closely to their manager, as he gave new tactical instructions for the team. As the game started to slip away for Great, the manager decided to change the tactical approach. Unhappy with the result so far in the game, the Great manager used a brief break in play after 61 minutes to give the players new directives. Ultras_STEAUA enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 51 percent of possession.

G. Ruje performed admirably for Ultras_STEAUA. On the other hand, A. Marinescu's play was disheartening. Great's top performer was clearly M. Coccinello. N. Popescu was a disappointment, however. The match ends 2 - 1.