In a gripping encounter at the Centr German on 24 November 2024, A.S. Cetate Bucuresti faced off against Rapid FNG in a league away match that ended in a 1-1 stalemate. The match kicked off at 5:00pm, with both teams showcasing their tactical prowess and determination to secure all three points.
A.S. Cetate Bucuresti lined up in a traditional 4-4-2 formation, which saw Alexandru Cristian Ursu in goal, flanked by a defensive line comprising Ene Stefan on the right, Alexandru Popescu and Dan Del Zappo in central defence, and Leo Tudor on the left. The midfield was structured with Cristian Savino and Mihai Bancu operating on the right and left flanks respectively, while Andres Rodriguez Fabian and Claudiu Prodan held the central positions. Up front, the attacking duo consisted of Farzad Gharahdaghi and FRIAA Dhia, both tasked with converting chances into goals. The substitutes for the match included Christian Müler, Oussama Eddahbi, Juan Diego, and Marcus Da Costa Mitel.
The match began with intensity, and it was A.S. Cetate Bucuresti's Andres Rodriguez Fabian who made his mark early on. After a late tackle in the seventh minute, he quickly redeemed himself by scoring a stunning direct free-kick from outside the box in the 13th minute, putting his side ahead. His right-footed strike left the Rapid FNG goalkeeper with little chance, igniting celebrations among the travelling supporters.
However, the joy was short-lived as the match took a turn for the worse for A.S. Cetate Bucuresti. Just 25 minutes in, Rodriguez Fabian received a red card for a bad tackle, leaving his team to navigate the remainder of the match with ten men. This pivotal moment shifted the momentum in favour of Rapid FNG, who began to assert their dominance.
Despite being a man down, A.S. Cetate Bucuresti continued to fight valiantly. Farzad Gharahdaghi had two attempts saved in quick succession, first in the 34th minute and again in the 38th, as he sought to extend the lead. However, the pressure mounted, and in the 42nd minute, Mihai Bancu was caught offside due to a lapse in concentration, further complicating their attacking efforts.
As the first half drew to a close, Gharahdaghi received a yellow card for a bad tackle in the 44th minute, adding to the disciplinary woes of A.S. Cetate Bucuresti. The half-time whistle blew with the score at 1-0, but the second half promised to be a different affair.
The second half commenced with A.S. Cetate Bucuresti looking to maintain their lead, but they were soon under pressure. In the 49th minute, FRIAA Dhia committed a handball, although no penalty was awarded. The match continued to be fiercely contested, and in the 51st minute, Rodriguez Fabian's earlier dismissal was compounded by a yellow card shown to him before his exit.
Tactical changes were made as Christian Müler replaced Alexandru Popescu in the 54th minute, followed by Oussama Eddahbi coming on for Gharahdaghi in the 61st minute. A.S. Cetate Bucuresti's resolve was tested further when FRIAA Dhia was penalised for a late tackle in the 69th minute.
As the match approached its final stages, Juan Diego was introduced for Mihai Bancu in the 81st minute, as A.S. Cetate Bucuresti sought to bolster their midfield. However, in the 85th minute, Rapid FNG found an equaliser with a direct free-kick from outside the box, scored with precision by one of their players, leaving the A.S. Cetate Bucuresti defence reeling.
With the match drawing to a close, Christian Müler was cautioned for a charge in the 87th minute, and in the dying moments, Marcus Da Costa Mitel replaced Dan Del Zappo in the 91st minute. The match ended with a flurry of activity, culminating in a yellow card for Müler in the 92nd minute for offensive language, but the final whistle confirmed a hard-fought draw.
Both teams will reflect on the match with mixed emotions, as A.S. Cetate Bucuresti displayed resilience despite their numerical disadvantage, while Rapid FNG will feel they missed an opportunity to claim victory at home. The draw leaves both sides with much to ponder as they look ahead to their next fixtures.
