FCSB head coach Elias Charalambous confirmed that the team will enter their upcoming matches without the services of their two main forwards, Daniel Bîrligea and Denis Alibec. Bîrligea suffered an injury just one day before the Romanian Supercup clash against CFR Cluj, while Alibec was forced off shortly after kickoff in that same game. Both absences present a significant hurdle as FCSB prepares for the preliminary rounds of the UEFA Champions League.
In a press conference, Charalambous emphasized the club’s ambition to win every trophy available, underscoring the importance of maintaining focus and taking things step-by-step despite current setbacks. He highlighted FCSB’s rich history, including past Champions League group stage appearances and even a title, while noting the current squad must work hard to uphold that legacy. The coach stressed that although the squad is missing key players, he refuses to make excuses and will seek tactical solutions to adapt. Charalambous praised the versatility of his attacking players, indicating the team has enough depth to rotate and adjust offensively even mid-match. He also appealed for strong fan support, emphasizing that performances must be consistent regardless of venue.
Regarding their UEFA Champions League path, if FCSB overcomes Inter Club d’Escaldes in the first qualifying round, they will face the winner of the Shkendija versus The New Saints tie in the second qualifying round. As a seeded team in the early rounds, FCSB faces relatively manageable opponents initially, but the challenge will likely escalate from the third qualifying round onward.
Daniel Bîrligea’s injury is particularly concerning, as it occurred right before the Supercup, sidelining him for an estimated 3-4 weeks according to club officials. This timing threatens his availability for crucial early Champions League fixtures. Meanwhile, Denis Alibec’s early substitution due to injury in the Supercup match further complicates FCSB’s attacking options.
The absence of both forwards will test Charalambous’s tactical flexibility and the squad’s depth at a critical juncture of FCSB’s season, where success in European qualifiers is a priority. The situation underscores the fragility of squad fitness and the importance of adaptive coaching strategies in high-stakes football competitions.
*FCSB must now rely on squad versatility and strategic ingenuity to navigate early Champions League qualifiers amid key striker injuries.*