Politehnica suffered another defeat by the same score: 0-1. This time the winner was Viitorul Pandurii Târgu Jiu, in the duel of the 6th round of League 2. The only goal of the match at “Știința” was scored in the second half by Vlad Toma, who took advantage of a defensive error.

The Gorjans had the first chance to score again after a mistake. Defensive positioning allowed Dodoi to be left alone with Kucich, slightly to the right, but the Italian goalkeeper blocked his shot from the box. In the 22nd minute our junior striker Raul Țurcaș, making his debut, also made his presence felt and sent a shot just over the goal from distance. Four minutes later our team had a huge chance: Bocșan got to a centred ball from a free kick and Opric resisted the goal with his arm, managing to deflect it past Țurcaș, who had a long corner in front of him. Six minutes before the end of the first half, Bîrnoi also unsuccessfully challenged the guest goalkeeper. In the 45th minute, Germinio shot acrobatically into the far corner, but Dănescu managed to keep out the goal.

In the second half our team was less dangerous. Moreover, in the 57th minute, the Gorjens surprised the white-violet after a ball easily lost in midfield Dodoi served ideally Toma, who beat Kucich with a shot placed to the left of the goalkeeper from close range. Despite having more of the ball at the end, our team could not find a solution in a very fragmented game. The last scoring chance belonged to Pană, who sent a free-kick on goal from almost 16 yards out, but Opric was once again denied.

Following this result Politehnica remains in 18th place with only four points. In the middle of next week the white-violet team will play in the 3rd round of the Romanian Cup, on the field of CSM Reșița, a game scheduled for Wednesday, September 14, at 15.00. In the championship there is a trip to Unirii Dej.

POLITEHNICA (coach Bogdan Andone): Kucich – D. Radu, Bocșan, Germinio, Taub – Tsvetkov, Plantak (62, Milea) – Bîrnoi (captain; 74, Mudrazija), Pană, Oanea (62, Pureca) – Țurcaș (62, Țangulea). On the bench: Isvoranu – Jurj, M. Andone, Ignea and Bryneus.

Viitorul Pandurii Tg. Jiu (coach Florin Stîngă): Opric – Dănescu, Core, Rogac, Pîrcălabu – V. Toma (87. Micle), Răsdan, Țegle (73, Stoian), M. Dulca (87, Banu) – Dodoi (67, Mitrică), Dragu (captain). On the bench: Krupenschi – Chelariu, Baican and Gîrbiță.

“Conclusion – in today’s game we really made two major mistakes. One in the first half by the tactical positioning of the full-backs on the loose ball when they had a one-on-one opportunity with the goalkeeper, and the second half on the conceded goal. There were two tactical mistakes by the full-backs, they didn’t do what they were supposed to do, they didn’t do what we discussed, they are normal and logical moves, unfortunately they didn’t do them. And it basically cost us. And that indecision of Oanea in midfield, who was a bit indecisive, went 50/50, unfortunately he lost that duel and from there the goal phase developed”, said Bogdan Andone, Politehnica’s head coach.

“I can’t say I feel discouraged, but I’m not happy or very confident either, I was really confident, because they prepared well this week, they trained well, and I was really confident that we would have a good match and a positive result. Unfortunately I saw them and I felt them during the game quite unconfident, even when talking afterwards in the dressing room they said they were a bit like that and lacking confidence. Clearly on the back of the results of the last few games, but at the end of the day it’s a game. They, as players, have to get the team out and move forward. Let them train well, that other players won’t. They will also be the ones who have to do things better, train harder, be more responsible and get the team out of the situation they are in. And I’m convinced they can do it,” Andone added.

About some of the chants calling for his resignation, the Politehnica coach said, “It’s normal to shout, people come to the stadium and want to see the team play or win games or score more goals and it’s clear they want more. We want more too, I also understand the people who come to the ground. I don’t take into account, because we discussed it when we came here, that we want to make a medium-term project, let’s not say long term, because in Romania and medium is very long, so it wouldn’t be fair either from my side or to the players who came or who stayed with the team. Because it was my decision and it was my decision towards them. And it wouldn’t be fair to the club, because that was their wish at the time, to make a two-year contract, to have continuity.”

“In the first half they also tried and did some good things, we had some very good situations in front of goal. We lack that quality on the finish or the final step, because we get into some good situations… the last step or the decision is not the right one. And Cosmin Bîrnoi does some tremendously good work, then the final step – either it comes too late or the timing… these are unfortunately. We need to correct them, make them better. I’m happy for Țurcaș, who made his debut today, he really played a good game today from my point of view, he fought and I’m very happy for him that he had this chance”, Bogdan Andone, coach of Politehnica Timișoara.