Archives - December 2008

Serb Striker Arrives

December 14, 2008

Rade Veljovic is the first player to arrive at Cluj this winter. The 22-year-old striker comes from Serbian second league side, FK Vozdovac. Veljovic comes to Cluj with big ambitions and as a Serbian U-21 international, having four caps for the youth team. The youngster was also the top goalscorer in his native country`s second league for the past two seasons. CFR battled with FK Partizan and FK Crvena Zvezda Belgrad for his signature, so the striker has big expectations. Below are Veljovic`s career statistics:

Chelsea - CFR 2-1 (1-0)

December 11, 2008

CFR gave Chelsea quite the headache at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. The Transylvanians were already eliminated from European competition following their 1-3 loss at home to AS Roma. Chelsea, on the other hand, would go through only if they earned a positive result and if Bordeaux failed to win. Chelsea showed that they are a big club right from the very beginning, having the lion's share of possession and chances. Nonetheless, Cluj were not simply a lamb awaiting the slaughter. Instead, CFR fought back as best they could and caused quite a stir at Stamford Bridge. 

Alex missed the first chance of the game, but his close-range header hit the ground and bounced out. Then, Kalou caused havoc on the left side of the pitch and passed in the center for Anelka who's shot was blocked by Gabi Muresan. Culio dribbled Ashley Cole on the right side three times and crossed in the box. Alcantara's resulting header was then cleared off the goal line by John Terry before Yssouf Kone could smack it in. Later on, Joe Cole's shot from the edge of the crease sailed just wide of Nuno Claro's net. In the end, Chelsea were the ones who drew first blood. Late in the first half, Terry crossed the ball in off a set piece and Solomon Kalou, completely unmarked, shot it past a diving Nuno Claro. Thus, the half time score was 1-0 in favour of the home side.

The second half was exciting, very exciting. The ball went from one end of the pitch to the other in rapid succession. Early on, Anelka was denied by a last effort lunge by Nuno Claro. Right after that, something that nobody expected occurred. Panin lobbed a pass for Culio, who then back-heeled it back to create a band of space on the right side. Panin then chipped the ball into the far side of the English box. Yssouf Kone peeled off his defender and hit the ball home with an immaculate header right into the top corner. Peter Cech had no chance, absolutely no chance of stopping this effort. This is just one writer's opinion, but Kone's goal was CFR's last and best of 2008. Anyway, the lead was not to last long as Drogba finished a lovely Joe Cole pass into the back of the net at the end of a quick counter-attack. Unfortunately, CFR did not have the force necessary to bring about a second equalizer, and so the game ended in a 2-1 victory for Chelsea. 

Chelsea FC: Cech - Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, Ashley Cole - Mikel, Balack, Deco, Joe Cole - Anelka, Kalou 

Substitutes: Drogba, Belletti, W. Bridge

Coach: Luiz Filipe Scolari

CFR 1907: Nuno Claro - Panin, Cadu, Alcantara, Pereira - Dani, Muresan - Dubarbier, Trica, Culio - Yssouf Kone

Substitutes: Emmanuel Kone, Peralta

Coach: Maurizio Trombetta

Conclusion: Chelsea's victory was, however, not all that clear. CFR played well and had they been able to physically withstand the pressure for the full ninety minutes, a draw would have been the most likely result. The loss is still not a bitter one in the least bit. CFR played well and were Chelsea's equal for a good period of time. There's no shame in losing if you put in a good effort and if you go down fighting. CFR did exactly this during the 2008 European campaign. They played every game to win and always left the impression that they could have earned a positive result every time.

Player-by-Player Analysis:

Nuno Claro 7.5: He was not at fault on either or the goals and he did a hell of a job blocking Chelsea's shots. Well done!

Panin 6.5: Solid defending and provided an excellent cross for Kone's goal.

Cadu 5.5: The captain had a poorer day than normal on Tuesday. He was partly at fault for the first goal and he was generally weak at times.

Alcantara 6: Not bad for his Champions' League debut. He had some trouble with the lobs, though.

Pereira 6: Moved up dangerously several times and was strong in defense. Had the first shot of the match, saved by Cech though.

Dani 6: He just loves the ball at his feet. The invisible, hard-working man in midfield as usual.

Muresan 5.5: Gabi has been out of form lately, likely a sign of fatigue resulting from the large number of games he has participated in. He missed a few passes and his positioning was off at times. But he did block a dangerous Anelka shot early on.

Culio 7: Dribbled Ashley Cole silly on both sides, and was one of the three players who created the play leading up to Kone's goal.

Trica 5: Caused the foul leading to the first goal, and lost the ball which ended up with Chelsea's second goal. A poor final match for such a brilliant and controversial footballer. 

Dubarbier 6: He was not quite as dangerous or inspired as his teammate on the other flank.

Yssouf Kone 7: He scored a lovely goal off the only chance he got. Otherwise, he drifted back into midfield many times to pick up several loose balls.

CFR - Gaz Metan Medias 2-1 (1-0)

December 4, 2008

CFR Cluj narrowly defeated Gaz Metan Medias, a team on the brink of relegation, this past Monday. This was the last game in Liga 1 this year and it proved to be a closer contest than most analysts expected. Medias went out onto the pitch and played some decent football. They played as if they had nothing to lose and very nearly produced one of the biggest surprises so far this season. Gaz Metan truly deserves a pat on the back for their effort. One of their players, 20-year-old Alexandru Curtean, played very well tonight and could possibly be the future star playmaker of the national team (as well as CFR's future playmaker).

At first, it seemed as if CFR was the same team as this spring: completely uninspired and lazy. Dubarbier and Culio's crosses seemed to always go out of bounds or right at the keeper. In the 32nd minute, though, Gabi Muresan managed to squeak a shot in past the wall on a set piece. The second half proved to be very exciting, heart-stopping even. Medias missed several chances, but Curtean's shots were inaccurate. However, in the 90th minute the same Alexandru Curtean dribbled past Panin and curved in a beautiful kick past Nuno Claro who's spectacular dive proved to be in vain. In the dying seconds of the match, though, Sebastian Dubarbier showed everyone why he is wanted by Roma, Juventus, and Zenit. The Argentinian followed a well-taken free kick into the opposing box and volleyed the ball home. A gut-wrenching win at the last possible moment.

Player-by-Player Analysis:

Nuno Claro 6: He was hesitant a few times, but he came up with some good saves too.

Panin 6: His flank of defense was relatively secure.

Galiassi 5.5: He was overwhelmed at times and its clear that the great number of games has taken its toll on him.

Alcantara 6.5: The pleasant surprise this match. He was strong in the air and even came close to scoring once.

Pereira 6: Good overall.

Dani 5.5: Invisible as usual, but in a bad way.

Muresan 7: Good play by CFR's temporary captain. He scored a nice goal and stopped many Medias attacks.

Dubarbier 7: Nice goal and excellent speedy incursions by the right winger.

Peralta 6: He lost very few balls, but sometimes he could use some courage in his passes up the field.

Culio 6: He was rather absent having few achievements.

Y. Kone 5.5: Absent as well.

Substitutes: E. Kone, Trica, M. Jose

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