FCSB suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat away to Shkendija in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League second qualifying round on July 22, 2025, in Skopje, increasing pressure ahead of the return leg in Bucharest on July 30. Despite controlling much of the first half and creating numerous chances, including a goalpost hit by Florin Tănase, defensive lapses and a lethal header by Adamu Alhassan (65′) cost the Romanian champions dearly.
Goalkeeper Ștefan Târnovanu was outstanding, pulling off multiple crucial saves that kept FCSB in the tie, though the team’s collapse in the second half and disciplinary issues—red cards for Qaka (70′) and Tănase (78′)—further jeopardize their qualification hopes. Shkendija employed effective counterattacks and capitalized on set-pieces, with coach Jeton Beqiri’s tactical adjustments proving decisive, contrasting with FCSB’s faltering structure post-goal.
This unexpected setback puts FCSB, a club with Champions League aspirations, under intense scrutiny and highlights vulnerabilities in their defense and discipline. The return leg promises a high-stakes battle with FCSB needing to overturn the narrow deficit amid fan and media pressure.