Grasshopper - Steaua - 2010

The Swiss began to hope after a good debut of game, when they put pressure on Steaua's defense, who couldn't block the attacks of the hosts. The shot of Lang, from 16 meters, rejected in front of him by keeper Tatarusanu (10) was the first warning. Cabanas had two good opportunities to score, but his shot from 10 meters went much over the post (15), then two minutes later he shot to the centre of the post, but Tatarusanu managed to catch the ball, pretty hard. The game of Steaua was suffering, many balls played by visitors being sent back, to the post of Tatarusanu, while strikers Surdu and Stancu had nothing to do in attack. The first so called opportunity of Steaua came in 35th minute, being finalized by Latovlevici with a shot which went beside the post of Benito with 10 meters! Another mistake in the defense of Steaua allowed Emeghara to score, but the referee canceled the goal for off-side position. Steaua were very lucky for finishing first half without goal. Steaua were very lucky in second half too, especially in 50th minute, when Innocent Emeghara shot wrong from 5 meters, having empty net in front of him, after a cross from Toko, from right side. Steaua made another mistakes in defense and escaped incredible, but Surdu woke up his team with two shots to the post of Benito, rejected well by keeper of GC (60). The hosts continued to play well and managed to open the score in 77th minute, through Salatic, after a huge mistake of Steaua's defense, who made the step for off-side totally wrong, the player of GC remaining alone with Tatarusanu at a few meters. Stancu had the chance to avoid extra time after an action on left side, but his shot went beside the post of Benito! In last minute, Tatarusanu blocked the shot of Emeghara from 10 meters, pushing the game in extra time. The poor game of Steaua continued, but Surdu was about to score with a header after the cross of Matei (104), but he ball went beside the post. Neither Swiss managed to score, the header of Hajrovic passing over the post of Steaua, despite the fact that goalkeeper Tatarusanu was out. None of the teams managed to score in the extra 30 minutes, so only the penalty shots could set the winners. Steaua were very lucky at penalty shots too, because Tatarusanu managed to save two penalty kicks, executed by Smiljanic and Adili, while Stancu, Surdu, Angelov and Latovlevici turned into goals the kicks from 11 meters and Steaua qualified in group stage of Europa League.

Gigi Becali, owner of Steaua: "I'm happy. I have nothing to reproach to the players, because we must understand them. Their performance was influenced by fatigue. This is the situation, you are no longer fresh in your mind when you are tired. It is true that we had serious problems, but we have played four games in ten days and the trips counted very much".