Closed Steaua Bucharest v Chelsea

[themightyblue 443]

Don't want to underestimate them too much. Think Ake should have some involvement, but only from the bench in this first leg. In the 2nd leg at the Bridge, he can hopefully start

Cech

Azpi Cahill Terry Bertrand

Luiz Mikel

Moses Oscar Hazard

Torres

Turnbull, Iva, Cole, Lamps, Ake, Marin, Mata

Give Ramires a much needed break too

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I would love to see a pivot of Mikel-Ake being given a shot. I have a feeling it would work better than anything else we have atm..

[Mundaka 243]

Play the same team as we did against middlesbrough? Think they did rather well. (didnt see the whole match tho)

They should be even more used to play together by now + more motivated prolly to play a match in europa league// show what they can do internationally and we can still finish things at home / sub if needed.

if they are registrerd :/

edit: nvm already mentioned

[Ankit 3,176]

Steaua Bucureşti beat Gaz Metan Mediaş 3-0 ahead of their Europa league match against CFC. 13 points top of the Romanian League.

[reuban 1]

I hope we are taking this seriously, they are a good side. Defensively solid although keeper is dodgy for crosses.

Danger men are Chipciu and Rusescu up front. Two great defenders and a well organised side in a stadium with intimidating atmosphere.

Lets hope we take this seriously!

[Stingray 9,441]

Some serious underestimating going on here. This is a sturdy team and mentality wise they can give us a few lessons.

If we go in without our heads on right, they will screw us over, no doubt.

[NishC300 1,865]

Ake has to start! He deserves a start and several key players need to rest since we've got to get the cup! (even though the tie at Old Trafford will rely on how much the ref supports Manure or how much luck they have)

[CHOULO19 24,332]

From the little research I did, apparently their keeper is far from their best player. Could be vulnerable to long-range shots. They play 3-4-3 which is interesting.

[Ankit 3,176]

Although i didn't see the Ajax and City match in the CL group stages but from what i know, Ajax were better than them on the night so when the draw for the europa league was made and we had to face on of Ajax/ Steaua Bucureşti and i genuinely thought Ajax would beat them. I thought it's gonna be a tough match and the fact they beat City some 3-0(?) , i was expecting Ajax to beat us too.
Now, a team from Romania beat Ajax and i am more concerned about them than i was for Ajax. I just hope we put in a good solid shift in the first leg and come out of the match with a respectable result.

[S3ra 15]

Steaua fan from Bucharest here. Just want to say I enjoy the banter that goes on around football in England. Around here the discussions are much more violent, if you will, there's a lot of 'fuck your club' and not much else. So I was really happy to see us get drawn against an English team.

Honestly for us Chelsea is kind of a bonus, we didn't really fancy ourselves against Ajax in the round of 32, but our team has really grown and matured this year. They are basing the national team on a kot of Steaua players so they are steadily gathering good experience. After playing in the Amsterdam Arena, i reckon playing at Stamford Bridge will be another good stepping stone for our players.

I predict at least a draw and hope we dont concede any at home. Even though our coach says different, I know that the players are always more motivated for European games than in the league, even Europa League games that dont have all the CL glitz.

Oh yeah and the club's owner is a nutcase. You may have heard of him, The Guardian are always writing about his antics. He is retarded and I apologize for him in advance

[ivasca.romica 3]

Steaua - Gaz Metan 3-0 (Steaua played in 10 from min 44. Was 1-0 then)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpp9eolPf_I&feature=player_embedded

Usualy we play 4-2-3-1, with Bourceanu and Pintilii in middle.

With Ajax (second game), Steaua played an 4-3-3 (having Bourceanu and Pintilii suspended).

Tatarusanu

Ripa - Gardos - Chiriches - Latovlevici

Tatu(Parvulescu) - Prepelita (Filip) - Tanase (Nicolic)

Popa - Rusescu - Chipciu

[Manuf 1,448]

Always happy to see the opposition fans being so terrific. Great to have you on board guys. Hope for a huge game

what happened to those napoli fans?

[edetarod 2,155]

Oh yeah and the club's owner is a nutcase. You may have heard of him, The Guardian are always writing about his antics. He is retarded and I apologize for him in advance

that's cute

[Jase 43,479]

From the little research I did, apparently their keeper is far from their best player. Could be vulnerable to long-range shots. They play 3-4-3 which is interesting.

3-4-3? Another team we're playing utilizes a formation with a back 3?! Oh gawd!

[Waterfall 893]

Mata should stay in England

[CHOULO19 24,332]

3-4-3? Another team we're playing utilizes a formation with a back 3?! Oh gawd!

Should be fun, right?!

[Jase 43,479]

Should be fun, right?!

Fun?!

In the last year or so, we have played against Napoli, Norwich(under Lambert), Villa(this season), Wigan, Barcelona(2nd leg last season), Juventus and Man City who have all played with the back 3 system against us!

[vendetta17 15]

Hi Chelsea fans ! Im a romanian fan and i respect Chelsea alot and watch them because of Juan Mata who is one of my favourites players.

First of all , wanna tell u guys Steaua wont play 3-4-3.Steaua will play a 4-2-3-1 sistem.They tried to play 3-4-3 against Stuttgart in group stage and they lost 1-5.So i guess u guys know Steaua won the EL group with Stuttgart , Copenhagen and Molde.They are having fun in Romanian League where they are outclassing every team they play against.I see alot of Chelsea fans that think that this will be a very easy game.It may be but the odds are low.Steaua its a bit better team than Sparta Prague , a team that u guys had some difficult games against.So u guys should be aware because Steaua its a really good team.If u guys watch the 2 games they played against Ajax u will see that Steaua outplayed Ajax in the second leg at Bucharest and the scored could have been like 4-0 because of 2 penalties referee didnt gaved to Steaua.

Nice to read this forum guys and hope it gonna be a nice show !

* sorry for my english which aint perfect !