In a one-sided encounter at Bucharest on 17 November 2024, A.S. Cetate Bucuresti succumbed to a heavy 6-2 defeat against FC Venus. The match, which kicked off at 12:00 pm, saw the home side struggle to contain their opponents, who showcased a clinical performance throughout the 90 minutes.
A.S. Cetate Bucuresti lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, aiming to balance their defensive solidity with attacking flair. Darius Bandehzadegan took his place in goal, while the back four consisted of Christian Müler on the right, Alexandru Popescu and Dan Del Zappo in central defence, and Leo Tudor on the left. The midfield was anchored by Bishoy Khalil and Andres Rodriguez Fabian in central roles, with Claudiu Prodan on the right and Mihai Bancu on the left. Up front, Cristian Savino and Farzad Gharahdaghi formed the striking partnership, tasked with converting chances into goals.
The substitutes for A.S. Cetate Bucuresti included Nicolás Grandón, ismail ismail, Marcus Da Costa Mitel, and Sam Umlauf, who would later be called upon as the match unfolded.
The match began with an early attempt from Cristian Savino in the fourth minute, but his effort went wide of the target. Bishoy Khalil followed suit with another attempt in the ninth minute, though it failed to trouble the FC Venus defence. Claudiu Prodan then made his mark in the 17th minute, scoring the opener with a well-placed shot after receiving an assist from Christian Müler, giving A.S. Cetate Bucuresti a brief lead.
However, the joy was short-lived as FC Venus began to assert their dominance. A.S. Cetate Bucuresti continued to press, with Andres Rodriguez Fabian and Mihai Bancu both attempting shots that went wide, but the home side struggled to find their rhythm. Cristian Savino was penalised for a charge in the 21st minute, but no penalty was awarded.
As the first half progressed, Farzad Gharahdaghi and Bishoy Khalil both committed fouls, with Khalil's late tackle in the 36th minute drawing the referee's attention. Darius Bandehzadegan showcased his goalkeeping skills with a catch in the 38th minute, followed by an interception just before half-time. The half concluded with A.S. Cetate Bucuresti trailing 1-0.
The second half began with a tactical substitution as Nicolás Grandón replaced Christian Müler. Just four minutes in, Dan Del Zappo had a chance to extend the lead but missed a penalty in the 49th minute, sending the ball high over the bar. Mihai Bancu was caught offside shortly after, a sign of the mounting pressure on the home side.
FC Venus struck back in the 61st minute with a penalty of their own, levelling the score. Just a minute later, Mihai Bancu restored hope for A.S. Cetate Bucuresti, scoring with an assist from Grandón. However, FC Venus quickly regained control, scoring a long-range strike in the 63rd minute, followed by another goal in the 66th minute from outside the box.
As the match wore on, FC Venus continued to dominate, netting further goals in the 70th, 75th, and 77th minutes, showcasing their attacking prowess. A.S. Cetate Bucuresti's attempts to respond were thwarted, with Cristian Savino and ismail ismail both flagged for offside as they sought to break through.
Late substitutions saw Marcus Da Costa Mitel and Sam Umlauf come on for Claudiu Prodan and Leo Tudor, respectively, but the changes failed to turn the tide. Andres Rodriguez Fabian was penalised for a late tackle in the 83rd minute, and ismail ismail received a yellow card for a bad tackle in the 88th minute.
The match concluded with Cristian Savino once again caught offside in the dying moments, encapsulating a frustrating afternoon for A.S. Cetate Bucuresti. The final score reflected a comprehensive victory for FC Venus, who capitalised on their chances to secure a resounding 6-2 win.
