Politehnica Timisoara will play on Saturday in the 5th round of the second league play-out. The opponent will be CSM Slatina, and the match will be played away from home, from 11 am. The only unavailable players are goalkeepers Bocșan (injured) and Huminic (recovering), while Oanea and T. Călin are uncertain. Ignea is fit to play, having returned from injury.

In the Group A standings, Poli is in 7th place, last with 19 points, and Slatina is in 4th place with 28 points.

Statements from today’s press conference:

Paul Codrea, Politehnica coach:

“We have a tough game ahead of us in Slatina. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to win the last round against Șelimbăr, with a win we were very well in the standings. This defeat affected our morale a bit, but the guys regrouped this week and we had a very good training week. The boys moved very well. We know we have very little chance going forward, but we’re going out there to try to win, play the best we can and give it our best shot.

We have Oanea in doubt, he has a problem with his leg and we don’t know yet if he will be fit or not. Tudor Calin also came out today with a small problem and that’s about it. But I think they’ll be available, I hope. He didn’t train today (editor’s note – Cătălin Oanea), he’ll try tomorrow. And everyone else is ok (…) Alin Ignea is available.

Exactly, Slatina is in the same situation as Șelimbăr, and they were happy, they escaped mathematically. They probably have this objective, to escape mathematically. We’re hanging on to that 1% while it lasts. We really want to finish this championship with dignity, even if it means relegation. At least let’s leave a good impression at the end of the season.

I think I’m going to change, and with the injuries I’m going to have to change. If Oanea won’t be available, then clearly the defensive system will change a bit, I’ll probably play with four on the back line.”

Fabian Marincu, Politehnica player:

“We are aware that it will be a very tough match against Slatina and we will go there motivated, to take the three points and play football.

(Do you still hope?) Yes, until the last moment. Why not?

It will be a complicated match for us, but we try to give our best.

Let’s hope so, we have a very nice fan community and they have accompanied us all over the country.

(Transition from juniors to League 2) It was a bit hard at the beginning, but then I managed to get used to it slowly and I hope to keep it up and do much better than I’m doing at the moment.”