Politehnica lost a crucial match today. In the derby of the last two play-out group winners it was 1-2 (0-1) in Baia Mare against Minaur.

On a very difficult pitch, the hosts opened the scoring through Berisha (min. 10), who shot from the small box following a cross from the left.

Cheered on by the Viola fans, the Timisoara side equalised through defensive midfielder T. Călin (photo), who scored his first goal for Poli. He scored from the 6m box after a free kick from the left.

To increase their chances of salvation, the guests needed a win. But the yellow and blue got the three points. After a crossbar they had (72nd minute), Chinde catches a generic shot from 30 yards with five minutes to go to settle the score. What’s more, Bîrnoi was sent off in the 90+4th minute…

Poli remain eight points behind the play-off place (Metaloglobus, who stayed today), extremely hard to catch up in the five games they have left to play.

Polytechnic: D. Moldovan – D. Radu, Bocșan (c), Porumb, Taub (63, Gîdea) – Tiihonen, T. Călin – Stojanovic (74, Bîrnoi), Ignea (90, Marincu), Oanea – Gavra. Reserves: Murariu – Târșa, Mada, Țurcaș, A. Vlaicu. Coach: Octavian Benga

Minaur: R. Avram – R. Lazăr, Iacob (61, Ciocan), Mondragon (c) – Chinde, Dandea, Gneba (71, Rotar), Stoian – Ivanovici, Berisha (35, Chitaș), Jarovic. Reserves: Băilă – Potcoavă, D. Matei, Cim, Donca, D. Simion. Coach: Vasile Miriuță

We will be back with the statement of coach Benga.