Politehnica Timișoara won 3-0 (1-0) in the last away game of the year 2024, at Gloriei Lunca-Teuz Cermei, a team that had four wins in a row before this game. All the goals of the white-violets in the 13th round of League 3 bore the signature of the attacking spearhead Bogdan Istratie.

On a pitch covered with a thin layer of icy snow, the Light Blues, in dark kit today, adapted quickly enough. Rotariu (min. 5) and Popa (7) sent the first shots towards Rusu’s goal, the second, placed, held without problems by the goalkeeper. Istratie had a better chance in the 27th minute, when he got the ball to Radu Ciurel’s cross before the goalkeeper, but his header failed to reach the net.

Two minutes later Poli’s goalscorer didn’t miss the target again. Popa sent in a free kick from long distance, David Roșu headed back in front of goal, where Istratie took the ball and scored easily from a few meters (min. 29). Our team could have increased their advantage on a double chance in the 40th minute. First Pureca volleyed the ball after a set up, but Rusu blocked, and the phase ended with a ball placed just over the top of the far corner by Marincu, somewhere from 15-16 meters in a central position.

The second half started with another good chance for Marincu, whose shot (52) was turned into the corner by the goalkeeper. Then, the Light Blues took a small step back. In the 56th minute Filimon could take advantage of a good cross following a ‘short’ corner, but his header went over the goal. The hosts tried to push the game towards Mosoarcă’s goal, but our goalkeeper resisted every challenge. In the 65th minute Vlaicu intervened by slipping on the ball, Pașcalău fell and a penalty kick was awarded. Fortunately, Tavi Mosoarcă senses Dinu’s intention well and parries to his right. The “Snake” was also opposed in other important phases, such as the one in the 81st minute, when Gavra sent Gavra’s shot from outside the box into the far corner.

In the end the Poles settled the contest. First Marincu did excellently with an opponent on the right flank, broke into the box and served Istratie (85) in the middle of the box, who scored with an easy shot to Rusu’s right, then the same Istratie (87) completed his hattrick by sending into the net from a good cross from Radu Ciurel.

It was 3-0 for Poli, who had their fifth league win and second away win with the same score, after a similar success in Periam. The Alb-violeoli now have 19 points and are still in 5th position in Series 9 of League 3. Next Saturday, on “Electrica”, the leader CSC Peciu Nou.

Gloria Lunca-Teuz Cermei: R. Rusu – Sevici, Pașca, Tomuț, Siminic – Iosu, Piț – Mercioiu (59, Gavra), Dinu, V. Filimon – P. Pașcalău (74, Joldea). On the bench: Neag – Stamorean, Măgulean, Steleac, Al. Mitu, M. Novac. Coach: Roland Nagy.

Politehnica Timișoara: Mosoarcă – Nagy (90+2, Amariei), D. Roșu, Vlaicu, R. Ciurel – I. L. Rotariu, Pureca (90+2, D. Roșca) – Marincu (captain, 90+1, Mihăescu), Popa, Boariu (88, Grancea) – Istratie (90+1, Avramescu). On the bench: Enășescu – Miclăuș, T. Hus. Coach: Cristian Gălan.

“The pitch was snowy, a bit soft, although it held up until the end. A victory with an opponent that was on an upward run, with four wins in the last four games, we are happy that we managed to win, play a good game and in the end be happy.

I don’t know what happened in the penalty box, but it was really a psychological moment the penalty that Tavi defended, because we came out of the dressing room pretty soft, it was 17-18 very good minutes of the opponent, when they also got the penalty. They dominated us at the start of the second half. After that moment the team developed very well, they started to play, to be aggressive, to win their duels again and we scored. I’m happy for their evolution, I’m really happy that they tried on this pitch to play many times what we prepare in training and it really came out. We are on the right track!

We have to win the games we have and if we win the games we have until the end of the regular season, we’ll probably be in the play-off places.

Cosmin (n.r. Mihăescu, b. 2007) came in for his first minutes at senior level, this week he was in training with us, he has been performing well at youth team level and this is what made him part of the squad and even made his debut.

I’m happy for the players, that they managed to score, I’m proud of the 50-60 supporters who made the trip, because they sang non-stop, from the first minute to the last minute. I’m happy that we managed to give them an opportunity to rejoice at the end of the game by winning this match and I think we are on the way up!“, Cristian Gălan, head coach Politehnica Timisoara