Steaua had a good start of match and caused problems to goalkeeper Ruddy. The first opportunity came in 6th minute, when a Scottish defender rejected the ball in last moment in front of Stancu, ready to resume it into the net. The same Stancu missed to open the score one minute later, his shot being rejected by Ruddy into corner, after a slalom of Andrei Ionescu. In 12th minute, Stancu shot from long distance, but the ball missed the target. Surdu was in good position to score in 23rd minute, but he missed the shot. Nicolita was close to the goal too, but his shot from angle was rejected into corner. After the corner kick, Craigan (30) sent the ball in own post and opened the score: 1-0. Steaua was close to increase the advantage three minutes later, but Goian couldn't turn into goal the penalty kick dictated by referee for a foul on Surdu - the captain of Steaua shot weak and Ruddy managed to reject. Surdu tried his chance in 38th minute too, but his shot from about 28 meters missed the post with a few cm. Ruddy rejected the shot of Stancu in 43rd minute, but he was defeated again in additional time, by the shot of Nicolita, after an exchange of passes with Polish Grzelak: 2-0. Bergodi's team started well the second half too, the goalkeeper of Motherwell blocking Ninu in 47th minute. The game became boring then, but Steaua made 3-0 in 60th minute, through Stancu, who headed the excellent cross of Grzelak. Surdu missed a huge opportunity in 71st minute, after a very good pass from Stancu, the striker shooting beside the ball, even he was alone with the keeper. Motherwell had a semi-opportunity in 74th minute, but Coke resumed over the post from very good position. This opportunity came as a result of an offensive game of the Scottish, who realized that have nothing to lose at this score. Bibiskov, at his first official match at Steaua, was blocked twice by the goalkeeper, in 82nd minute. One minute later, Onicas hit the cross bar. Ochirosii was very close to score too, but his shot from free kick, from 20 meters, was rejected into corner by the keeper (90). Steaua obtained a clear victory and qualification in next stage is almost solved. The score could be even bigger if Goian turned into goal that penalty kick from 33rd minute. Dorin Goian will be suspended for the game from Scotland. The defender was booked in 50th minute and being the second yellow card in Europa League, he will stay in tribunes in second leg. The coach hopes that at least Ghionea will be recovered for the match from next week, he being injured now.
Cristiano Bergodi, coach of Steaua: "We made a good game, especially in the first half and I am happy for the boys. We obtained a good result, but we must continue to be focused. I am glad that my players have responded positively to what I have asked. I don't know if we had an easy match, but I saw that my team played well. I am not afraid that we could lose qualification, but we must treat very serious the second leg, because we haven't qualified yet".
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