Season review: Romania
Friday, June 12, 2015
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FC Steaua București won a treble despite a major springtime slump, with six clubs relegated as Romania's top flight was reduced to 14 teams for 2015/16.
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Champions: FC Steaua București
Steaua were 13 points clear of second-ranked ASA Târgu Mureș at one stage but it took until the final round for Constantin Gâlcă's side to confirm their 26th national title, momentum draining after key players Lucian Sănmărtean, Łukasz Szukała and Claudiu Keșerü left in mid-season. Promoted ASA were top briefly yet disintegrated at the death, losing three of their last four games. "I leave Steaua with my head held high," said Gâlcă, who made way for 34-year-old Mirel Rădoi at the end of term.
Cup final: FC Universitatea Cluj 0-3 FC Steaua București
If Steaua's First Division success was a close call, they had no problems winning both national cup finals. They beat CS Pandurii Lignitul Târgu Jiu 3-0 to lift the League Cup, and made light work of relegated Universitatea Cluj in the Romanian Cup decider in Bucharest. Adrian Popa scored the opener early on, set up the second for Raul Rusescu at the start of the second half and confirmed Steaua's 22nd cup triumph with a splendid finish on 54 minutes.
European places*
FC Steaua București – UEFA Champions League second qualifying round
ASA Târgu Mureș – UEFA Europa League third qualifying round
FC Astra Giurgiu – UEFA Europa League second qualifying round
FC Botoșani – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
*subject to final confirmation from UEFA
Player of the year: Alexandru Chipciu (FC Steaua București)
Chipciu was probably the best of Steaua's players this season, especially in the opening months of the campaign, though the 26-year-old forward – like most of his team-mates – faded as the campaign went on. Tellingly, Claudiu Keșerü ended up as the club's top marksman for 2014/15 with 12 goals, while Lucian Sănmărtean supplied the most assists – ten – despite that pair departing at the midway point. Vice-captain Chipciu laid on six goals and was a positive influence throughout.
One to watch: Claudiu Bumba (ASA 2013 Târgu Mureș)
The 21-year-old playmaker Bumba and his 22-year-old Steaua counterpart Nicolae Stanciu each made a strong contribution to their side, with seven and six league goals respectively, and more importantly took the step up from the national Under-21 team, both being named in Anghel Iordănescu's home-based squad for a post-season training camp in Antalya, Turkey. "This training camp was very useful in showing me who might deserve to be selected in the future, at least in the extended squad," the coach said.
Top scorer: Grégory Tadé (CFR 1907 Cluj) – 18 goals
Relegated: CS Gaz Metan Mediaș, FC Brașov, FC Universitatea Cluj, FC Rapid București, FC Oțelul Galați, FC Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț
Promoted: FC Voluntari, ACS Poli Timișoara