Charalambous and the Bench Mystery
In a weekend that keeps Romanian football buzzing, coach Elias Charalambous announced a return for his side to the FCSB ranks. Yet the matchday reality told a different story: the forward and key options did not feature on the substitutes bench. The question on fans’ lips became: where was Charalambous spotted, and what does it mean for FCSB ahead of a busy schedule?
FCSB were set to host Oțelul Galați in a SuperLiga clash scheduled for Sunday night at 20:30, broadcast on Digi Sport 1. The lineup and tactical setup suggested a measured approach, with rotation and squad management taking center stage as FCSB chase domestic success while also juggling a European workload in the coming days.
Adrian Șut: Sighted at the Arena Națională
A notable subplot of the day concerned Adrian Șut. The youngster had been sidelined since the Romania national team’s 2-2 draw with Cyprus on September 9, after picking up an injury. Although Șut did not feature in the match against Oțelul, he was spotted at the Arena Națională, fueling speculation about his availability and recovery status. Observers noted that his appearance could signal a cautious return to action as FCSB eyes a Europa League encounter with Young Boys Berne on Thursday at 19:45, to be shown live on Digi Sport 1.
The timing matters: while Șut’s inclusion would bolster depth for a demanding schedule, teams often prefer to ease players back into competition to protect against setbacks ahead of European ties.
Injury Woes and Squad Depth
FCSB’s bench was further tested by ongoing injury concerns. Daniel Graovac had to leave the field after 32 minutes against Oțelul with a muscular issue, making way for Vlad Chiricheș in the 35th minute. The substitution underscored a broader challenge: Chiricheș, a captain-like presence, does not appear on UEFA’s squad list, creating a potential gap for European competition. Other defenders, Joyskim Dawa (29) and Ionuț Cercel (18), were also dealing with injuries, tightening FCSB’s defensive options in the days ahead.
Starting Lineups: A Snapshot of the Day
FCSB: Târnovanu – Pantea, Ngezana, Graovac, Radunovic – Alhassan, F. Tănase – M. Toma, Olaru, Thiam – Bîrligea
Rezerve: Zima, Udrea, Alibec, Miculescu, Kiki, M. Popescu, Edjouma, Politic, Chiricheș, Cisotti, Oct. Popescu, A. Stoian
Antrenor: Elias Charalambous
Oțelul: Dur-Bozoancă – Zhelev, Zivulic, Soriano, Holz – Ferreira, Lameira, Moreira – Sandu, Dos Santos, Lopes
Rezerve: I. Popescu, Ursu, S. Rus, Neicu, Tovar, Postelnicu, A. Ciobanu, Cihra, Frunză, Bordun, Araujo
Antrenor: Laszlo Balint
What This Means for FCSB Now
The combination of bench omissions and on-pitch injuries tests Charalambous’ squad management skills. His comment about a “return” to FCSB appears to reflect a broader intention to reassess the roster’s balance, especially with European football looming. The absence of Charalambous from the substitutes bench, contrasted with Șut’s sighting at the stadium, suggests a careful, perhaps protective approach from the coaching staff as they navigate player recovery, rest, and rotation.
As FCSB look ahead to the Europa League clash against Young Boys Berne, the depth issues could prompt further decisions about which players to shield during league games and which to unleash in Europe. The injuries to Graovac, Dawa, and Cercel compound the challenge, potentially forcing multiple positional shuffles and a heavier reliance on veterans or versatile youngsters in the squad.
Looking Ahead
The day’s events highlight how a single matchday in Romanian football can hinge on subtle decisions. For fans, the immediate question remains whether Charalambous will lean more on the bench in coming fixtures and how Șut’s return will influence FCSB’s approach. With a trip to Young Boys in Europe just days away, the squad’s health, rest, and tactical flexibility will be crucial as FCSB aims to consolidate domestic form while staying competitive on the continental stage.
