Liga 1 - Matchday 31:
FCSB vs Dinamo București
Stadionul Național
April 16th, 2017
The eternal derby came at a crucial moment. Not a title decider, but a statement match. Dinamo was fighting for European qualification, sitting fifth. They needed points as desperately as FCSB did.
The city was divided again. Red-and-blue versus red-and-white. For one day, nothing else mattered.
FCSB Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
GK: Andrei Vlad
DEF (RB): Romario Benzar
CB: Marko Momčilović
CB: Ionuț Panțîru
DEF (LB): Risto Radunović
CDM: Mihai Pintilii (C)
CDM: Filipe Teixeira
RW: Florinel Coman
CAM: Constantin Budescu
LW/CAM: Andrei Luca
ST: Harlem Gnohere (returned from injury)
Dinamo Starting XI (4-3-3):
GK: Dragoș Balauru
DEF (RB): Cătălin Țîru
CB: Cosmin Matei
CB: Gabriel Mogoș
DEF (LB): Dorian Railean
CDM: Paul Anton
CM: Ovidiu Hoban
CM: Florin Bratu
RW: Nemanja Mihajlović
ST: Rivaldinho (Brazilian forward)
LW: Fabrice Olinga
Dinamo had new signings and renewed confidence. Their Brazilian striker Rivaldinho was fast and tricky, while veteran midfielder Ovidiu Hoban brought experience.
The atmosphere was electric. 37,000 fans packed the Stadionul Național, creating a wall of noise. Flares burned, drums pounded, voices raised in songs of glory and hatred.
From kickoff, the match was ferocious. Tackles flew, the referee's whistle constant. This was derby football—passion overwhelming technique.
In the 12th minute, Dinamo nearly scored. Rivaldinho broke clear down the left, cut inside, and struck powerfully. Vlad saved brilliantly, tipping it over.
FCSB responded. In the 23rd minute, Andrei received the ball on the left side of the penalty area, back to goal. Matei pressed tight against him, physical and aggressive.
Andrei remembered Tănase's advice: Don't force it in derbies. Be smart.
He laid it off to Budescu, then spun and ran toward the near post. Budescu played a quick one-two with Gnohere, then slipped a return pass into Andrei's path.
The angle was tight, the goalkeeper closing fast. Andrei didn't try to beat him with power—he just passed the ball inside the near post with the inside of his right foot.
GOAL. 1-0 FCSB.
The stadium exploded. Andrei was mobbed by teammates, the noise deafening. His second derby goal—he was becoming a derby specialist.
Goal scored - Derby Match
Finishing: +0.2 (clinical finish under pressure)
Movement: +0.1 (intelligent run)
Overall Rating: 72.0 → 72.4
But Dinamo was dangerous. They pushed forward desperately, Rivaldinho and Olinga causing constant problems with their pace.
In the 41st minute, they equalized. A corner kick caused chaos, and in the scramble, Hoban forced it over the line. 1-1.
Halftime arrived with scores level. The dressing room was tense.
"They're tired," Reghecampf observed. "Their pressing is dropping off. Second half, we exploit the space behind their fullbacks. Andrei, Florinel—run at them. Make them turn and chase."
The second half was end-to-end. Both teams created chances, both goalkeepers made saves. The match could have gone either way.
In the 73rd minute, the breakthrough came.
Pintilii won the ball in midfield and immediately looked forward. Andrei had drifted inside from the left, occupying the space between Dinamo's defensive and midfield lines. The pass came—perfectly weighted.
Andrei controlled it on his chest, two defenders closing. He could turn and shoot, but Gnohere was making a run down the right channel, only one defender tracking him.
Decision Point:
Option A: Individual shot (50% success)
Option B: Through ball to Gnohere (70% success)
The old Andrei might have shot. The developing Andrei made the smart play.
He slipped the ball through with his right foot, perfectly weighted between the defender and goalkeeper. Gnohere collected it, rounded Balauru, and slotted into the empty net.
GOAL. 2-1 FCSB.
Assist recorded
Vision: +0.2 (identified optimal pass)
Decision Making: +0.1
The final twenty minutes were desperate defending. Dinamo threw everything forward, but FCSB held firm. When the final whistle blew, relief washed over everyone.
2-1. Derby winners again. Six points from two eternal derbies this season.
Match Rating: 8.3/10
1 Goal, 1 Assist - Complete Performance
In the mixed zone, Elena was waiting with her recorder.
"Andrei, second derby goal this season. What's your secret?"
He smiled, knowing she was asking professionally but caring personally. "Just trying to play smart. These matches are about mentality as much as skill."
"Your assist for Gnohere showed great maturity. You could have shot."
"The team goal matters more than personal glory."
Perfect footballer answers. But their eyes said more—pride, love, connection.
That night, they celebrated quietly at her apartment. No clubs, no parties. Just two young people who'd found something real in a complicated world.
"You're playing the best football of your life," Elena observed, lying beside him.
"Because I'm happy. Because of you."
"Don't give me too much credit. This is your work, your dedication."
"But you're the reason I can do it. You keep me grounded."
They fell asleep tangled together, the weight of expectation temporarily lifted.
Updated Liga 1 Standings (After 31 matches):
CFR Cluj - 74 points (Won 3-1 vs Pandurii)
FCSB - 72 points
Universitatea Craiova - 63 points
Still two points behind. Seven matches to make up the deficit.