FCSB’s 18-year-old right-back Ionuț Cercel, who started in the Romanian Supercup victory against CFR Cluj, will not feature in the club’s UEFA Champions League preliminary rounds as he was omitted from the official UEFA squad list. Instead, experienced defender Valentin Crețu has been registered for European competition, meaning Cercel will be reserved exclusively for domestic matches in Liga I and the Romanian Cup, where the under-21 rule applies.
This strategic split was publicly outlined by FCSB owner Gigi Becali, who confirmed the club’s plan to field different lineups for domestic and European matches. Becali stated: “The U21 player will be Cercel. Only he will play in Romania. Crețu will play only in European competitions.” This approach aims to blend youthful energy domestically with seasoned experience on the continental stage.
The official UEFA list submitted by FCSB includes 25 players, with Crețu occupying the right-back position for Europe alongside Alexandru Pantea, another defender included in the squad. Cercel’s exclusion, despite his domestic starter role, is partly due to his recent medical issues and the club’s tactical preferences for the high-stakes Champions League qualifiers.
This decision highlights a tactical balancing act by FCSB’s coaching staff, managing squad rotation and compliance with UEFA regulations while aiming to maximize performance in both domestic and European competitions. It also reflects the pressure on young players like Cercel, who must prove their readiness for the continental stage amid fierce competition from veterans like Crețu.
**Implication:** FCSB’s dual-squad strategy underscores the club’s intent to leverage experience in Europe while nurturing young talent for the domestic league, a move that could influence squad dynamics and player development throughout the season.