Steaua Bucureşti v Galatasaray Champions League qualifier

Stadionul Ghencea will be the site for tomorrows exciting second leg of Champions League qualifier between Steaua Bucureşti and Istanbul’s legendary Galatasaray.

The first leg at the Cimbom ended in a 2-2 draw after Dairo Moreno and Romanian International Bănel Nicoliţă each found the back of the net within the first 12 minutes. Galatasaray fought back to earn the draw with Shabani Nonda’s brace.

Galatasaray were without Harry Kewell for the first leg but with him in the lineup this past weekend they looked very powerful as they steamrollered over Denizlispor 4-1 in the opening match of the Turkcell Süper Lig campaign.

Marius Lăcătuş’s Roş-Albaştrii sit two points from the top of the Liga I table. They played to a 2-2 draw this past weekend against Gloria Bistriţa on the strength of Bogdan Stancu’s brace which included a strike deep into added-time. Steaua Bucureşti feature a host of internationally capped Tricolorii including Dorin Goian, Sorin Ghionea, Petre Marin, Adrian Neaga, Bănel Nicoliţă, Ionuţ Rada,Mirel Rădoi, Ovidiu Petre, Mihai Neşu, Eugen Baciu,Mihăiţă Pleşan as well as Razvan Ochirosii and Bogdan Stancu who featured in the U21 recent match against Wales.

I will report on the match once it concludes.