After finishing first in the SuperLiga’s regular season, FCSB then went on to win last term’s championship playoff group against the rest of Romania’s top six, also sealing their place in the Champions League qualifiers.
The capital club – formerly known as Steaua Bucharest, who were champions of Europe in 1986 – came through their opening tie with ease, thrashing Virtus 11-1 on aggregate in the first qualifying round.
After cruising to a 7-1 victory in San Marino, they ran out 4-0 winners in the home leg, in which Malcom Edjouma helped himself to a brace before the half-time break.
Head coach Elias Charalambous has been in charge since early last year, and after leading FCSB to their first league title since 2015, the former Cyprus international is now keen to re-establish them on the European scene.
In addition to making little impact on either the Europa League or Conference League of late, the Ros-Albastrii last made the Champions League group stage 11 years ago.
Taking part in this season’s expanded format would therefore represent a dream come true for fans once accustomed to regular success – but three rounds still separate them from reaching the promised land.
The next hurdle in FCSB’s way will be a Maccabi Tel Aviv side that have been tuning up for their first continental contest of the new season with a series of friendlies – and participation in last week’s Israeli Super Cup.
Beating Maccabi Petach-Tikva 2-0 at Bloomfield Stadium set the Yellows off on the right foot, as they adapt to life under the management of new boss Zarko Lazetic.
The Serbian’s competitive debut featured a 14th-minute goal from Eran Zahavi, while Matan Hozez sealed the deal during second-half stoppage time, starting the new season with a trophy – as did FCSB, who beat Corvinul in the Romanian Supercup.
Former Maccabi manager Robbie Keane left Tel Aviv last month, despite guiding them to the league title in his first year by finishing nine points clear of nearest rivals Maccabi Haifa.
Under Keane’s watch they posted three wins and only one loss from four Conference League contests on the road, and avoiding defeat in Romania would boost hopes of continuing their first Champions League campaign for three years.
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