In a gripping league encounter held at Bucharest on 18 May 2025, A.S. Cetate Bucuresti faced a challenging match against AS Automatica, ultimately succumbing to a 2-0 defeat. The match kicked off at 4:00 pm, with both teams eager to secure vital points in the league standings.
A.S. Cetate Bucuresti adopted a 4-3-3 formation, which saw Selim Portar stationed as the goalkeeper. The defensive line comprised Ene Stefan on the right, Yassin Yassin on the left, and a central pairing of Christian MĂĽller and Dan Del Zoppo. In midfield, Bishoy Khalil operated on the right, Cristian Savino played centrally, and Marcus Da Costa Mitel took up the left midfield role. Up front, Mihai Bancu and Mahdi Reihanian flanked striker Farzad Gharahdaghi, who was tasked with leading the attacking line.
The substitutes for A.S. Cetate Bucuresti included Robert-Andrei Asavei, Alex New, Lauren?iu-Virgil ?elea, and Juan Ramon, who would be called upon as the match progressed.
The match began with both teams probing for weaknesses, and it was Mihai Bancu who made the first attempt on goal in the 8th minute, although his effort failed to trouble the AS Automatica goalkeeper. Shortly after, in the 12th minute, Bishoy Khalil also had a go, but his shot went wide, signalling A.S. Cetate Bucuresti's intent to dominate early.
As the game progressed, Dan Del Zoppo showcased his defensive prowess with a crucial tackle in the 19th minute, halting an AS Automatica attack. However, the match took a turn when Ene Stefan committed a late tackle in the 37th minute, earning a foul but fortunately avoiding a penalty.
The first half concluded with A.S. Cetate Bucuresti still searching for a breakthrough, but Dan Del Zoppo's attempt just before half-time in the 44th minute went wide, leaving the score at 0-0 as the teams retreated to the dressing rooms.
The second half saw immediate changes for A.S. Cetate Bucuresti, with Alex New and Robert-Andrei Asavei coming on for Christian MĂĽller and Marcus Da Costa Mitel respectively in the 55th minute. The fresh legs aimed to inject some creativity and energy into the midfield and attack.
Bishoy Khalil continued to be a threat, but his shot in the 64th minute again went wide, reflecting the mounting frustration of the home side. The match took a more contentious turn in the 70th minute when Dan Del Zoppo received a yellow card for a bad tackle, adding to the pressure on A.S. Cetate Bucuresti.
Just a minute later, Lauren?iu-Virgil ?elea replaced Mahdi Reihanian, as the home side sought to find a spark in their attack. However, the situation worsened for A.S. Cetate Bucuresti as Bishoy Khalil was shown a yellow card for offensive language in the 71st minute, further complicating their efforts.
In the 72nd minute, Juan Ramon came on for Dan Del Zoppo, as A.S. Cetate Bucuresti looked to adjust their strategy. Cristian Savino had a chance to change the course of the match in the 76th minute, but his shot sailed high, missing the target.
The breakthrough for AS Automatica came in the 78th minute when they scored the opening goal, sending shockwaves through the home crowd. A.S. Cetate Bucuresti's hopes of a comeback were dashed when AS Automatica struck again in the 89th minute, doubling their lead and sealing the fate of the match.
In the dying moments, Juan Ramon received a yellow card in the 79th minute, highlighting the frustration and desperation of A.S. Cetate Bucuresti as they struggled to find their rhythm. Despite a spirited effort, the home side could not find the back of the net, and the match concluded with a disappointing 2-0 defeat for A.S. Cetate Bucuresti.
