Politehnica Timișoara was defeated on Friday, 0-3 (0-2), at the “Știința” arena, by CSM Unirea Alba Iulia, the second place in the 7th Series of the 3rd League and the revelation of the Romanian Cup.

Two days after the previous test, against CSC Peciu Nou (2-1), the white-violets were today without the Ciurel brothers, both injured. Among the experienced names from the Ardelenians are former policemen Blănaru and Vidrăsan.

The guests, coached by Alexandru Pelici, were dangerous from the start when Albert Voinea was blocked in extremis by Mosoarcă, when the striker escaped towards goal. He also opened the scoring seven minutes later, when he scored from a cross from the left flank. Poli then equalized and had more of the ball. The equalizer could have come in the 25th minute, when Popa found Militaru in the box following the first corner of the game, but the midfielder’s header went over the goal. Unirea scored once more before half-time in the 38th minute when Răzvan Fetița was initially blocked, but the ball stayed with the visitors and eventually the same Fetița managed to score for 0-2.

The second half started with a plus for Poli, but Popa (min. 56) sent from outside the box in the direction of the goalkeeper, who had no trouble in holding the ball. Amid changes in both teams, the Ardeleni scored once more, in the 80th minute, when Patrick Andaras headed home from the box into the far corner.

It was the only test of the winter in which Politehnica failed to score.

Politehnica Timișoara: Mosoarcă (76, Enășescu) – Miclăuș (60, Amariei), D. Roșu (73, Tătaru), Vlaicu (73, Huminic), Nagy (76, Krista) – Militaru (76, Fazekaș), Rotariu (60, Pureca) – Prună (60, Mihăescu), Popa (67, Avramescu), Boariu (46, Marincu) – Istratie. Coach: Cristian Gălan.

Unirea Alba Iulia: Roman – Stanciu, Balaur, Lazăr, Călugăr – Giurgiu, Vidrăsan – Pântea, Fetița, Golofca – Voinea. Reserves: Bucur – Sebas, Vomir, Giosu, Ardeiu, Tănase, Istrate, Blănaru, Golda, Indrei, P. Andreaș, An. Roșu and Oluwaseun. Coach: Alexandru Pelici.

“It was a good game, considering that we played a team that is aiming for promotion, a mature team, who perhaps have a higher tempo than us. They managed the phases they created very well. All in all for us it was a very good game, because it shows us a little bit that we should also increase the level of intensity, more than we already have. We have a good level, but we can increase it and we can manage the actions slightly more maturely, but this is a little bit harder, because age also matters,” said Cristian Gălan, Politehnicii’s head coach.

“There were medical problems with Boariu, I hope it’s nothing serious, something muscular, David (Popa) came off with a sore, it was a knock and otherwise I don’t think there are any problems. Militaru came out of action, but I don’t think there can be any problems“, Gălan also said about the condition of the players who were injured today.

For our team follows the demonstration triangular in two days’ time (Sunday, 16:00) as part of the “Goodbye, Great Oval!” event, the last one at the “Dan Paltinisanu” stadium, which is to be demolished for the construction of the new large arena. “On Sunday all the players are active at the event, everyone is taking part because it is an important event in our history after all. We will all be there,” concluded Cristi Gălan.

Politehnica’s last test game will be on Saturday, February 22, away to OFK Kikinda (L3, Serbia).