ChFR Cluj fulfilled its mission on Thursday: defeated FC Balkani and entered the playoffs of the eighth Conference League. After the match in Gruia, Dan Petrescu talked about the successful game of his team.

Dan Petrescu responds to critics after CFR Cluj’s European Spring qualification

Petrescu said CFR Cluj had achieved “something incredible” in the Conference League groups and said no coach could match his performances.

“I think this is the most important victory of the season. I didn’t expect us to score ten points when the group started. When I saw Sivasspor and Slavia, I didn’t think we would get ten points. I was thinking of getting more points with Balkani, but the six against Slavia qualified us, although today’s match was the toughest, especially since we missed two penalties in one phase when the score was 1-0.

We came after two matches in which everything was against us: invented penalties, offside goals, nine goals not scored. I was thinking about what will happen next, I say, look, Slavia will score in the 90th minute, and we will score.

I told the boys before the game that they have shown that they deserve to be in Europe, they have already played 13 games, they have made a huge effort, but if they don’t win today it will be for nothing.

It is also good for the club, from a financial point of view there is certainty. I am also very happy for the fans who helped us today. A big win for everyone. I am happy for any victory. It is clear that I do not like to score. The hero of the group? The team, all the players. There are others who have gone and they have helped us. We must also thank them.

“Balkani” surprised me, they have some good players and great possession game. The possession was theirs, but the chances were ours.

I feel good in the group, a good group has formed, players have recently arrived. Here, the team from Romania was brought to the European spring. I was hoping for more teams, but I don’t really see any other teams or coaches in the future.

I think all CFRs will be in the future. I really don’t see others. For the past six years, it has only been CFR. The other teams don’t even know where they were. At the same time, we are the most criticized, coaches and players, unfairly. I did not shut their mouths. Only until the first defeat.

I’m sure a lot of people are upset right now. Romania does not hold the world with all the teams. There’s no point in arguing any more, the main thing is that the CFR entered the European spring, we scored ten points, something incredible, and left Slavia at home.

I have about 50 matches here in Europe. They won’t be looking for me anymore, that’s for sure. I’m sorry to say this, but this is reality” – Dan Petrescuquoted by DigiSport.

Know:

• CFR Cluj will fight for a place in the eighth Conference League with the team that is ranked third in the Europa League groups.

• The draw for the Conference League playoffs will take place on Monday at 3:00 p.m. The double playoff is scheduled for February 16 and 23, 2023.

Results obtained by CFR Cluj in Group G

FC Balkani – ChFR Cluj 1-1

CFR Cluj – Sivasspor 0-1

Slavia Prague – CFR Cluj 0-1

CFR Cluj – Slavia Prague 2-0

Sivasspor – ChFR Cluj 3-0

CFR Cluj – FC Balkani 1-0.

Conference league, final ranking Group G

1. Sivasspor (goal difference 11-7) 11 points

2. ChFR Cluj (5-5) 10

3. Slavia Prague (6-7) 8

4. FC Ballkani (8-11) 4.