The highly anticipated second leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round between FCSB and Sparta Prague is set to take place on Tuesday, August 20th at 21:30 (local time), and the excitement is palpable. With a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Prague, both teams will be battling it out at the Steaua Stadium in Bucharest for a coveted spot in the Champions League playoffs.
A Sold-Out Event
The demand for tickets has been extraordinary, with online sales completely selling out two days before the match. FCSB fans flooded the ticketing site, leaving only 400 tickets available, which will be sold at the stadium on match day. These last tickets will be available for purchase by fans who are not familiar with online ticketing, as announced by FCSB’s Chairman of the Board, Mihai Stoica, on Facebook.
The Steaua Stadium is expected to be packed with around 29,000 supporters, creating a vibrant and intense atmosphere as FCSB fights for their place in the next stage of the competition.
The Stakes
The stakes are incredibly high for both teams. A win would put FCSB just one step away from the Champions League group stage, a feat that would also guarantee a place in the Europa League group stage. If FCSB eliminates Sparta Prague, they will face either Malmö or PAOK in the playoffs, with the first leg of that tie ending in a 2-2 draw.
However, if FCSB falls to qualify, they will move to the Europa League playoffs, where they would meet LASK Linz. Regardless of the outcome, FCSB (or Sparta Prague) has already secured a spot in the Conference League group stage, ensuring their continued participation in European competitions this season.
Team News and Lineup
FCSB owner Gigi Becali has already revealed the lineup for the crucial match against Sparta Prague. After making strategic substitutions in their previous match against Farul, Becali confirmed that the starting XI for Tuesday will be:
FCSB Starting XI: Târnovanu – Crețu, Ngezana, Dawa, Radunovic – Șut, Lixandru – Ștefănescu, Olaru, Băluță – Miculescu
Becali’s decision to start Ștefănescu, Băluță, and Miculescu suggests a tactical approach aimed at securing a positive result against the Czech champions.
