Head coach Paul Codrea’s statements after the 2-1 success at Unirii Slobozia:

“It was a very good first half from our side. I think we could have gone into the dressing room with 2-0. We had some very good situations, we managed to score … and that was my regret at half-time, because we knew that chances can be avenged. Towards the end they managed to equalise and honestly I really thought so, a little bit, I don’t want to be a jerk, to boast, but I really felt that something else could happen. And look, Gavra’s inspiration and Marincu’s execution made us happy.”

On the performance of young Fabian Marincu, a junior born in 2005 and raised in the Politehnica Academy: “We said that our policy is to give confidence to young people who have value, who show that they want to do something. Others will follow him. Now I didn’t manage to introduce Oprea, I wanted to start him, but I made the changes quickly, Bocșan and Tudor Călin got injured, I made two stoppages and I couldn’t make any more stops”.

“I congratulate the guys for their effort, it really was a monumental effort… especially as yesterday we travelled 12 hours by coach to get here, but we didn’t make excuses, we were positive and we were always looking for victory”

On injuries: “Bocsan will have an MRI when he arrives in Timisoara, Tudor is better, he has recovered. The problem will be with Bocșan and unfortunately Murariu will be suspended, after picking up another yellow card”.

“We are still playing the same way, we have three games left, we are trying, first of all the next one counts, to win, after that we look at the other results. The team should not feel this pressure, because it’s almost impossible what we are trying to do. But we know that if we really want it, the impossible becomes possible. (…) I think the supporters have come closer to the team again and I expect us to double the number of spectators compared to the last match.”