FCSB and PAOK Salonic faced off at the National Arena in Bucharest on Thursday evening, February 20, 2025, for the decisive return leg of the UEFA Europa League playoff. The Romanian champions, buoyed by the confidence from their 2-1 victory over the Greeks at Toumba Stadium, entered the match with high hopes of reaching the round of 16.
The atmosphere was electric, with over 50,000 fans packed inside the arena, witnessing what unfolded as one of the pivotal moments of the season. A significant presence of Greek fans added to the tension, with about 4,000 making the trip to support their team amid tight security and police measures. Distinctly, Elias Charalambous's squad sought to capitalize on their earlier win and secure qualification.
The match got off to a thrilling start, with FCSB eager to assert their dominance on home turf. Their efforts bore fruit when Yuri Cisotti scored the opener in the 30th minute, following incisive play from David Miculescu. This goal raised the aggregate score to 3-1, giving the home team a comfortable cushion as they aimed to hold their lead.
FCSB's coach Charalambous had emphasized the significance of maintaining attacking intensity throughout the game. “Victory is the only thing on our minds,” he stated before the match, insisting his team would not settle for anything less than win. “If we focus on drawing, then the best we can achieve is just a draw,” he added, underscoring their determination to clinch qualification decisively.
Although initially appearing confident, PAOK attempted to re-establish control with numerous attacks. The Greek side tried to find their rhythm but struggled to break through the solid FCSB defense. Key moments included several dangerous attempts thwarted by FCSB goalkeeper Ștefan Târnovanu, whose excellent saves kept the scoreline favorable for the hosts.
PAOK's coach, Răzvan Lucescu, whose previous tenure at FCSB made the clash even more emotive, criticized the officiate decisions following the first leg but remained optimistic. “If we are at full strength, we can overcome any challenge,” he asserted before the game. With tensions running high, players on both sides received yellow cards as the match progressed, with reckless challenges reflecting the high stakes of the encounter.
Midway through the second half, the game was momentarily halted due to on-field injuries to players from both sides. The aggressive play had taken its toll, and the match resumed, with PAOK trailing as they desperately sought to turn the tides. A flurry of substitutions from Lucescu aimed to inject fresh energy, but the lack of coordination hampered their efforts.
Despite PAOK’s efforts to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities, FCSB's resilience showcased the team's growth throughout the competition. The Romanians exhibited composure under pressure and were rewarded with another goal late on, cementing their place in the next round. The match concluded 1-0, ending with the aggregate score at 3-1.
The result not only highlighted FCSB's successful campaign but also marked PAOK's struggle to find consistency away from home, reflecting their lack of victories across recent matches. For FCSB, this qualification for the next stage signals their aspirations to compete at the highest level.
Looking forward, FCSB will face either Olympique Lyon or Eintracht Frankfurt as they advance to the round of 16. With every match contributing to the narrative of this European push, the Romanian side will continue their pursuit of glory and the prestige of establishing themselves as formidable competitors on the continental stage.
This thrilling encounter encapsulated not just the fervor of the players but also the unwavering support from the fans, demonstrating football’s unifying power and the spirit of the game. FCSB’s qualification is not only a feat of technical skill and strategic play but also one of determination and passion rooted deeply within Romanian football.