Steaua - Ujpest - 2009

Bergodi changed the atmosphere from Ghencea. He counted on young players and reinvented Surdu, the "red-blues" winning the match against Újpest with 2-0. Steaua started the match in force and missed the first opportunity through Goian, in third minute, the defender heading over the post. Hungarians responded two minutes later, when Rajczi lobbed the ball over Tătărușanu, but it went beside the post. Surdu sent a dangerous cross, parallel with the post, the action ending with a corner kick for Steaua (9). Goian was close to push the ball into the net, but the goalkeeper of Újpest was carefully and saved (10). It followed a boring period then, but in 18th minute, Surdu resumed to the post, but Balajcza rejected. At next action (19), Kapetanos headed beside the post after a cross from corner. Steaua failed to create opportunities to score then, Újpest blocking well the game, especially in the central area, where it crowded the space. Onicaș shot from 26 meters, but over the post (37), then Kapetanos wasted the last opportunity of the first half, with a shot to short corner, the goalkeeper rejecting the ball into corner (40). Two minutes later the Greek was eliminated, after he deliberated hit Vasko, second half being announced very difficult for the hosts, they following to play in numerical inferiority. In the first minute of the second half, Steaua opened the score through Surdu, who sent into the net the ball came from Stancu, after only 35 seconds of game: 1-0. Tătărușanu did his job then and caught the shot of Vasko from free kick (49). Even if numerical equality was restored in 54th minute after elimination of Korcsmar (two yellow cards), Újpest played more offensive and came closer to the post of Tătărușanu several times. Stokes had a good opportunity in 70th minute, but his header was deflected into corner. Steaua increased the advantage on the scoreboard in 72nd minute, when Stancu pushed into the net the ball crossed by Surdu: 2-0. The hosts were close to third goal in 74th minute, but Hungarians rejected the ball into corner. In 79th minute, Stancu headed over the post the ball crossed from corner. Újpest was close to score in 84th minute, after a mistake of central defenders Ghionea-Goian, but Tătărușanu came from the post and blocked the opponent in last moment. Szekely had a dangerous shot, the Hungarian goalkeeper rejecting the ball very hard (85). Then Tătărușanu caught the header of Vasko (89). Steaua made many mistakes, especially in first half, in front of opposite post, even Ujpest came on Ghencea just to defend.

Cristiano Bergodi, coach of Steaua: "It's a good result, but we can't say that we are qualified already. We didn't solve qualification from first leg. Újpest is a changed team and it was very difficult to beat it. We will try to win the match from Budapest too, although Ujpest will be supported by many fans, who will make a very good atmosphere. We will be focused and we will continue to respect Hungarian team".

Willie McStay, coach of Ujpest: "I felt that Steaua and its supporters were frustrated. I don't know Romanian language, but I felt that from the atmosphere created by the fans in tribunes. The red card received by Kapetanos was deserved, but we missed the opportunity to take advantage of it. I must admit that Steaua has talented players and the quality of the players counted a lot. We started to play well after the first twenty minutes, but the fate of the match was decided in second half".