Denis Alibec, FCSB’s forward, suffered a knee injury just minutes into the Romanian Supercup clash against CFR Cluj, forcing an early substitution in the 9th minute of the match. Following the injury, Alibec underwent an MRI on the morning of July 7 to determine the cause of his knee pain. However, the scan results were inconclusive, prompting FCSB’s medical staff to seek further specialist opinions to clarify the diagnosis.
Club owner Gigi Becali confirmed that the team will be patient awaiting a definitive medical update. Speaking to the media, he said, “We will wait to see what happens with both Alibec and Bîrligea. Alibec is awaiting additional evaluations regarding his injury. We’ll see how long he will be sidelined.” To prevent aggravating the injury, FCSB has removed Alibec from all training sessions for 10 days, after which he will have a follow-up MRI to reassess his condition.
This setback means Alibec will miss key upcoming fixtures, including FCSB’s first qualifying round Champions League match against Andorran champions Inter Club d’Escaldes, as well as domestic league matches against Hermannstadt and Petrolul. His absence also extends to the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League tie against either TNS or Shkendija. Despite the uncertainty, there is cautious optimism that the 34-year-old striker’s recovery timeline might be shorter than initially feared, with some reports indicating potential availability for the league opener on July 12 against Hermannstadt.
Alibec, who rejoined FCSB this summer following his transfer from Farul Constanța, currently holds a market value estimated at €600,000 according to Transfermarkt. His injury comes at a crucial moment as FCSB aims to defend its Romanian league title and make progress in European competitions. The club’s medical and coaching staff will need to carefully manage his rehabilitation to avoid long-term impact on the team’s attacking options.