Liga 1 Standings (After 31 matches - Late April 2017):
CFR Cluj - 74 points
FCSB - 72 points
Universitatea Craiova - 63 points
Seven matches remained. Two points to make up. No margin for error.
The return to Bucharest felt different. Andrei was refreshed, centered, ready. The break had been exactly what he needed—time away from football to remember why he loved it.
Training resumed with renewed intensity. The squad felt the same shift—everyone fresher, more focused. The three-day rest had been Reghecampf's masterstroke.
"We're going to win every remaining match," Pintilii declared in the dressing room. "Cluj will slip. They always do under pressure. We just have to be perfect."
The next match was away to FC Voluntari—newly promoted, struggling near the relegation zone. On paper, an easy fixture. But Romanian football was never that simple.
FC Voluntari vs FCSB - Liga 1
Anghel Iordănescu Stadium, Voluntari
April 23rd, 2017
FC Voluntari Starting XI (4-4-2):
GK: Cătălin Cabuz
DEF (RB): Cristian Bunea
CB: Florin Berenguer
CB: Romário Kortzaar
DEF (LB): Vadim Rață
RM: Daniel Constantin
CM: Geraldo Alves
CM: Henrique Luvannor
LM: Dani Iglesias
ST: Alexandru Tudorie
ST: Ndiaye Mamadou
Voluntari packed their stadium—small but loud, about 4,000 fans creating an intimidating atmosphere. They defended deep, organized, making space impossible to find.
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
The match was predictably frustrating. FCSB dominated possession—71% in the first half—but couldn't break through. Voluntari's goalkeeper Cabuz made several good saves, while their defense blocked everything.
At halftime, still 0-0, Reghecampf was calm.
"Patience. They can't defend for ninety minutes. Someone will make a mistake. Be ready."
The breakthrough came in the 61st minute.
Budescu picked up the ball 30 yards out and floated a perfect pass over the defense. Gnohere made a run, but the ball was slightly behind him. Instead, it fell perfectly for Andrei, who'd timed his run from deep.
One touch to control with his chest, the goalkeeper rushing out. Andrei didn't panic. He waited for the keeper to commit, then chipped it delicately over him.
GOAL. 0-1 FCSB.
Beautiful technique, perfect composure.
Goal scored
Finishing: +0.2 (chip finish - high difficulty)
Composure: +0.1
Overall Rating: 72.4 → 72.8
Ten minutes later, Coman added a second on the counter. Final score: 0-2 FCSB.
Three points. Job done.
That evening, CFR Cluj also won, beating Concordia 2-0.
Updated Standings:
CFR Cluj - 77 points
FCSB - 75 points
Still two points behind. Six matches left.
Liga 1 - Matchday 33:
FCSB vs Universitatea Craiova
Stadionul Național
April 30th, 2017
Craiova was third in the table, still fighting for Champions League qualification. They had quality—their attacking midfielder Alex Mitriță was one of the league's best players, creative and unpredictable.
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
Universitatea Craiova Starting XI (4-3-3):
GK: Mirko Pigliacelli
DEF (RB): Bogdan Vătăjelu
CB: Koffi Djidji
CB: Kay Tejan
DEF (LB): Alexandru Băluță
CDM: Valerica Găman
CM: Alex Mitriță
CM: Nicușor Bancu
RW: Andrei Ivan
ST: Elvir Koljić
LW: Gustavo Vagenin
The match was high-quality, both teams attacking. Craiova's young forward Andrei Ivan was particularly dangerous, constantly running at FCSB's defense.
In the 23rd minute, FCSB struck first.
Radunović overlapped down the left and crossed low into the box. The ball skipped through several players before falling to Andrei at the edge of the penalty area.
He struck it first-time with his right foot—a clean connection that arrowed into the bottom corner.
GOAL. 1-0 FCSB.
Goal scored
Shooting: +0.1 (first-time finish)
But Craiova equalized quickly. In the 34th minute, Mitriță's brilliant through ball found Koljić, who finished clinically. 1-1.
The second half was end-to-end. Both teams created chances, both goalkeepers made saves. The match could have gone either way.
In the 78th minute, Reghecampf made a tactical change—bringing on Dennis Man for the tiring Coman. Fresh legs, new energy.
The substitution paid dividends immediately. In the 81st minute, Man received the ball on the right, drove at his defender, and crossed low into the box.
Gnohere attacked the near post, dragging two defenders with him. That left space at the back post where Andrei had drifted.
The ball came through the crowd of bodies. Andrei struck it on the half-volley with his left foot—his weaker foot, but the only option available.
The ball flew past Pigliacelli and into the net.
GOAL. 2-1 FCSB.
His second of the match.
Brace scored
Weak Foot: +0.2
Positioning: +0.1
Overall Rating: 72.8 → 73.3
Rating Milestone: Broke through 73 barrier
The stadium erupted. Andrei slid on his knees, teammates piling on top of him. Two goals, three points closer to the title.
Final score: 2-1 FCSB.
Meanwhile, in Cluj, something happened that changed everything. CFR Cluj, the league leaders, the seemingly invincible team—lost. Lost 2-1 at home to Astra Giurgiu.
Updated Liga 1 Standings (After 33 matches):
FCSB - 78 points
CFR Cluj - 77 points
Universitatea Craiova - 65 points
FCSB was top of the table. One point ahead. Five matches to go.
The dressing room was pandemonium. Players danced, sang, sprayed water. After chasing Cluj all season, they'd finally overtaken them.
"Don't celebrate yet!" Pintilii roared over the noise. "Five matches left. We have to finish this."
But the mood had shifted. Belief had replaced doubt. They were top, and they intended to stay there.
That night, Andrei met Elena at their favorite café. She was already there, laptop open, typing furiously.
"Writing about the match?" he asked, sitting down.
"Writing about you. Two goals, both brilliant. You're the story of the title race."
"We haven't won yet."
"No, but you're the reason you might." She closed her laptop. "Andrei, you're playing at a level beyond anything I've seen in Romanian football from someone your age. You know that, right?"
"I'm just doing my job."
"It's more than that. You've elevated your game when it matters most. That's the mark of a special player."
They talked for hours about the season, about the pressure, about what winning would mean. Eventually, Elena asked the question that had been hanging between them.
"When the season ends, what happens? The big clubs will come again. Probably with bigger offers."
"I know."
"And?"
Andrei took her hand. "And we make decisions together. Not me alone. We figureAnd we make decisions together. Not me alone. We figure out what's best for both of us."
Elena's eyes glistened. "You'd really factor me into a career decision that big?"
"You're not a factor, Elena. You're the foundation. Everything else is just details." He squeezed her hand. "If I go to Italy or Germany or wherever—I want you there. I need you there."
"My career is here. My family, my connections—"
"I know. That's why we decide together. Maybe there's a way to make both work. Maybe I stay another year. Maybe you find opportunities abroad. I don't have all the answers." He smiled. "But I know I don't want to do any of this without you."
She kissed him then, not caring about the other café patrons, not caring about professionalism or propriety. Just two people in love, trying to build a future in an uncertain world.
"We'll figure it out," she whispered. "Whatever happens, we'll figure it out."
Relationship Status: Committed long-term
Impact: Mental attributes stabilized
Emotional foundation: Secure
They went back to her apartment that night and made love with unusual intensity—both of them aware that the season's end was approaching, that decisions loomed, that their small bubble of happiness might soon be tested by the wider world.
But for now, in the darkness of her bedroom, they had each other. And that was enough.