FCSB achieved a remarkable victory against PAOK, winning 2-0 at the Arena Națională on February 20, 2025, thereby securing their spot in the next round of the UEFA Europa League. This match was the return leg of their playoff tie, following a 2-1 win by FCSB in the first leg.
The atmosphere was electric, with over 50,000 fans supporting their team, undeterred by the freezing temperatures. FCSB's lineup was unchanged from the first leg, showing confidence and consistency, with key players such as Juri Cisotti, David Miculescu, and veteran Vlad Chiricheș tasked with bringing victory.
The first goal arrived at the 30-minute mark when Juri Cisotti opened the scoring. He was set up by young star David Miculescu, who demonstrated his talent with precise passing and positioning. The Italian forward, previously seeking his maiden goal for the club, made the most of his moment and calmly slotted the ball home, sending the home crowd wild.
PAOK, under the management of Răzvan Lucescu, pressed forward after conceding but struggled to find their rhythm. Their star forward, Ally Samatta, was often isolated and unable to penetrate FCSB's sturdy defense, which was marshaled effectively by Mihai Popescu and Alex Ngezana. Although the Greeks posed threats, including near misses and long-range efforts, they were kept at bay for the majority of the match.
FCSB's discipline paid off, and they continued to dominate possession, making it increasingly difficult for PAOK to create clear-cut chances. The decisive second goal came from David Miculescu, who capitalized on defensive lapses by PAOK after a corner kick taken by Risto Radunovic, cementing FCSB's advancement with less than ten minutes to spare.
Miculescu’s contribution, scoring one and assisting another, reinforced his status as a rising star. His tactical awareness and ability to be where it counts made him instrumental this evening, which drew praise from both fans and analysts alike.
After the match, players and coaches reflected on the significance of the win. Elias Charalambous remarked on the exceptional performance and emphasized the importance of maintaining focus as they prepare for the next round. He stated, “We must take the momentum and aim to challenge stronger opponents.” Meanwhile, Răzvan Lucescu acknowledged FCSB's superior play, stating, “We faced a strong opponent who capitalized on our mistakes. We were not at our best today.”
The results of this playoff mean FCSB will face either Eintracht Frankfurt or Lyon in the round of 16, with the draw scheduled for February 21, 2025. Football analysts are already buzzing about FCSB's chances, which have improved significantly from the start of the campaign, with experts now believing they have up to 74% probability of advancing past the next round following this performance.
This victory marks FCSB's third against PAOK this season, reinforcing their dominance over the Greek side and providing the Romanian club with much-needed momentum as they look to make waves on the European stage.
Overall, FCSB’s exciting display against PAOK may signify the rebirth of Romanian football on the European stage, illustrating the team's evolution under pressure and their resolve to achieve greater heights.