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Petrescu warning of Rangers response

Dan Petrescu expects Rangers FC will be on a revenge mission when his FC Unirea Urziceni team host the Scottish titleholders two weeks after inflicting a 4-1 defeat upon them on Matchday 3.

Dan Petrescu thinks Rangers will be a different proposition this time around
Dan Petrescu thinks Rangers will be a different proposition this time around ©Getty Images

Dan Petrescu expects Rangers FC to be on a revenge mission when his FC Unirea Urziceni team host the Scottish outfit two weeks after inflicting a 4-1 defeat on them on UEFA Champions League Matchday 3. With his side second in Group G, Petrescu wants another victory against Walter Smith's men in what he called "the most important match of my coaching career". His opposite number who can call on fit-again Lee McCulloch – may be satisfied with a point to remain in contention.

Dan Petrescu, Unirea coach
It will be a totally different match from Glasgow, because Rangers will not underestimate us again. They are coming to Bucharest to beat us and to avenge that defeat. They will give everything in attack and any result is possible. I have challenged my players to become the first Romanian team to win successive Champions League games. I can't remember another Romanian team doing this. But I worry about the mentality of Romanian players and it would be a miracle to qualify for the knockout stage. I try to motivate my players, but the secret is with them – they will decide their fate, not me. Anyhow, it is the most important match of my coaching career.

Walter Smith, Rangers manager
The 4-1 home defeat was the poorest display in our European history. That's why I hope we recover and return to our normal level because Rangers are used to performing well in Europe. From what is a very difficult match, we need at least a point to maintain our hopes of qualification. It's a necessity that we improve and I will try to adopt a more attacking and aggressive style of play. I will change the system and play with more attacking players because I also want to change the result and win, even though that it's going to be very difficult. I am happy McCulloch will be able to play because the injury problems we faced last time had a negative effect. I don't know how many spectators will be in the stands, but I remember the last time I was here there was a full stadium and a fantastic atmosphere.

Weekend results
31/10/09 Unirea 3-2 FC Universitatea Craiova
(Frunză 27 62, Bilasco 90+2; Costea 54, Wobay 71)

• Petrescu's team ended a three-match winless run in Liga 1 – their most barren spell since the middle of last term when they drew three and lost one either side of the winter break.

• It was only the third time in 12 top-flight outings this season the Romanian champions have scored more than once.

1/11/09 Dundee United FC v Rangers (match abandoned at half-time due to heavy rain)

• Rangers were leading through Steven Davis's 29th-minute goal at Tannadice when the game was abandoned at half-time because of a waterlogged pitch, cutting short Danny Wilson's league debut at centre-back.

• The 4-1 home defeats by Sevilla FC and Unirea are Rangers' only reverses since Celtic FC's extra-time victory in last season's Scottish League Cup final on 15 March.

Team news
Unirea

Out: Raul Rusescu (knee), Bruno Fernandes (thigh)
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: Vasile Maftei

• Bruno Fernandes limped off early in the second half against Craiova having damaged his right thigh.

Rangers
Out: Andrew Little (hamstring), Madjid Bougherra (knee), Pedro Mendes (thigh)
Doubtful: Maurice Edu (knee), Kirk Broadfoot (foot)
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: Steven Naismith

• Broadfoot and Edu have resumed training with the rest of the squad.

Background
• Those back-to-back home defeats have left the Scottish champions bottom of the group, while the Romanian titleholders have climbed to second spot thanks to their first win in UEFA competition on Matchday 3.

• Unirea had made the worst possible start in Glasgow, Ricardo Vilana's own goal giving Rangers a second-minute lead. Marius Bilasco equalised, however, and after Daniel Tudor saved Steven Davis's penalty the second period began with Rangers substitute Kyle Lafferty and team-mate McCulloch both netting own goals. Pablo Brandán added a fourth, keeping Rangers on one point only.

• Before that Ibrox encounter, Rangers had had six competitive meetings with Romanian opponents, all against FC Steaua Bucureşti. They failed to score in any of their three away games. Unirea had never faced a Scottish team in a UEFA fixture before Matchday 3.

Did you know?
Unirea are fighting their second campaign in UEFA competition and are still to win at home. They lost 2-0 to Hamburger SV in last season's UEFA Cup first round before contesting a 1-1 draw with VfB Stuttgart on Matchday 2. Overall, they had drawn two and lost two of four European games prior to visiting Glasgow.

For more background on the match in the official press kit, click here.