League

Idicel
Spectators: 7369 (Terracing: 5632, Seating: 1727, VIP seats: 10) It was fairly windy and cold on the field when Ştefan Bălăiță kicked off to start the match. Șerban Lăzăroiu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Ştefan Bălăiță in the 6th minute of play. When Andrei Potopea came up free with the goalie in the 15th minute, the VfB Stuttgart fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Andrei Potopea couldn't finish the play. 22 minutes into the game, Eliodor Poplăcan was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. VfB Stuttgart's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave F.C. Lupeni the free kick. A collision led to VfB Stuttgart getting a freekick after 22 minutes play. Eliodor Poplăcan hit a great ball. If Niculae Doman had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 27th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. A collision led to F.C. Lupeni getting a freekick after 29 minutes play. Niculae Doman hit a great ball. Florin Jianu scored 1-0 in the 30th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Șerban Lăzăroiu, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. After some careless play in the F.C. Lupeni defense, Florin Jianu kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Șerban Lăzăroiu. The F.C. Lupeni fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Șerban Lăzăroiu should have stopped the shot. Through an outstanding action, after 40 minutes, Șerban Lăzăroiu successfully got his hands on the ball before it slid into the goal at the right post. Niculae Doman's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Paul Ciurea read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 45th minute of play. If Felix Mihăescu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 47th minute. The ball went over the crossbar instead. The away team players looked dejected as the walked off the pitch at half time. They had fought hard, but were still losing 2-0.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Felix Mihăescu made a kick off. Florin Jianu might have been able to make a better finish in the 51st minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Șerban Lăzăroiu. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Florin Jianu ran back to his position shaking his head. If Niculae Doman had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 52nd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Felix Mihăescu sent away a hard shot on goal in the 54th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Ştefan Bălăiță in the 65th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Șerban Lăzăroiu saved F.C. Lupeni from getting behind. In the 69th minute, Florin Jianu left the goalkeeper for dead before tapping the ball into the right side of the net. The VfB Stuttgart fans were clearly happy with the effort and the scoreboard reflected the new score: 3-0. Eliodor Poplăcan kicked well hit freekick during the 73rd minute of the match. Felix Mihăescu received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 74th minute. Paul Ciurea tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After having played for 88 minutes, Felix Mihăescu managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. F.C. Lupeni's supporters crossed their fingers, but Felix Mihăescu was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Niculae Doman received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 89th minute. Paul Ciurea tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. VfB Stuttgart's Ştefan Bălăiță got a good chance for a goal in the 93rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. 95 minutes into the match, F.C. Lupeni's goal looked a bit too open when Florin Jianu came free, but Șerban Lăzăroiu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. If Florin Jianu had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 97th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. VfB Stuttgart's supporters were highly satisfied with the result. They cheered their team of the pitch, having watched them win a very even match.