Poli Iași prepares to take on FCSB on December 23, 2024, at 20:00, for the 21st round of Romania's SuperLiga, as both teams strive for distinct goals.
Taking place at the renowned Emil Alexandrescu Stadium, this match is expected to draw considerable attention, broadcast live on Digi Sport 1 and Prima Sport 1.
The stakes are high for both sides. Poli Iași, sitting precariously at 14th place, possesses only 22 points after 20 matches, needing victories to escape the relegation zone. Manager Emil Săndoi expressed the importance of this fixture, remarking, "Un meci important pentru ambele echipe. Suntem la poli opuși al clasamentului...”, emphasizing how pivotal this encounter is for his team's survival hopes.
Meanwhile, FCSB sits comfortably at 5th place with 34 points. Elias Charalambous, their coach, stated, "Va fi ultimul nostru meci din acest an, unul foarte, foarte dificil...”. His assurance indicates confidence and awareness of the challenges posed by their opponents.
Recent form for Poli Iași highlights their struggles, with five matches since their last victory on November 3, 2024, when they defeated Oțelul Galați 2-1. Since then, they have endured three losses and two draws. A remedial performance against FCSB is seen as necessary for lifting team morale before the winter break.
Poli has experienced success at home during the season with five wins, two draws, and three losses out of their last ten matches, aiming to capitalize on their home advantage. Nevertheless, it has been noted they have scored poorly lately, having failed to find the net once during their last two outings.
Contrarily, FCSB has achieved relative stability, showcasing solid performances. They come off a recent draw against Farul Constanța, balancing their previous encounters with one win and three losses over their last five games.
Historical encounters lean favorably for FCSB as well, showing twelve victories against Poli's five, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming match. Their prior meeting on August 17, 2024, ended with Poli securing a surprising victory, winning 1-0, much to the fans' delight.
Once again, both teams focus on the objective: success. For Poli Iași, it's about survival and safety; for FCSB, it could be the stepping stone toward reclaiming title contention. This backdrop adds extra flavor to the fixture, with players eager to shine and prove their worth.
Final positions by the end of this match can dramatically shift both clubs' fortunes as they enter the New Year. A win for FCSB could place them tantalizingly close to the leaders of the table, whereas Poli aims to bolster their confidence and climb toward safety.
