Mihai Popescu, the experienced central defender of FCSB, has spoken out after a crushing 0-4 defeat to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in a friendly match. The 33-year-old Romanian international reflected on the encounter, which served as a stern lesson for the Bucharest-based club.

The friendly match was a baptism by fire for FCSB, with the team facing a stern test against the Belgian champions. Popescu acknowledged that the team had been feeling the weight of a busy schedule, which contributed to the heavy defeat.

Rebuilding and Refocusing

Despite the scoreline, Popescu emphasized that the team’s focus lies elsewhere. “We have a lot to work on, and we’re in the preseason. It was normal to struggle, given the intensity we’ve been pushing ourselves to. But we’ll take the positives from this match,” he said.

Popescu’s comments highlight the importance of the preseason period for FCSB. As the team looks to rebuild and refocus, the friendly match against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise served as a wake-up call.

Confronting the Past: Popescu Meets Olaru

Popescu also drew attention to his duel with former teammate Darius Olaru, who joined Royale Union Saint-Gilloise from FCSB this summer for a reported €3 million. The Romanian international expressed his admiration for Olaru’s decision to move to a new challenge and wished him well in his new endeavor.

“I’ve played against him before, and the guys who were teammates with him noticed a difference. I’m glad he made the move to a good team and wish him all the best. It was a pleasure to face him on the pitch and have a competitive duel,” Popescu said.

As the transfer window continues to shape the Romanian football landscape, the departure of Mihai Lixandru from FCSB has sparked speculation. Popescu acknowledged the loss of his teammate but remained optimistic about the future.

“It would be good if he took a step forward in his career. We’re losing a key player, but I’m sure that if he leaves, we’ll bring in players of similar quality to replace him,” Popescu said.

The defeat to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise has cast a spotlight on FCSB‘s preseason preparations. As the team looks to rebuild and refocus, the lessons learned from this match will be crucial in shaping their approach to the new season.

The Romanians’ chances of success this season will depend on how they respond to these tough lessons in the preseason.