Not necessarily a better level, but I think it will be a much more interesting league.

Dinamo is back, Rapid looks stronger, Otelul another team with followers joining Petrolul, UTA, the Craiovas, U Cluj

FCSB, CFR and Craiova will probably be the same as usual, with Mitrita being an attraction

 

Not necessarily a better level, but I think it will be a much more interesting league.

Dinamo is back, Rapid looks stronger, Otelul another team with followers joining Petrolul, UTA, the Craiovas, U Cluj

FCSB, CFR and Craiova will probably be the same as usual, with Mitrita being an attraction

Mitrita should be scoring 15 goals this year. He's way too good for liga 1.

 

I am just sad that the two Steaua Bucharest clubs can't duke it out in Liga I.

 

why can't they?

 

U21 eligible players by club (feel free to correct any absences in this list, there will surely be some)

Farul Constanta: Borza (LB), Grameni (CM), Mazilu (RW), Sali (LW), Sirbu (RB), Buta (CB), Birzu (CB), Grosu (RB), Mustaca (RW), N. Popescu (DM), Danuleasa (CB), Lazar (CB/LB), Andronache (CF), Dumitrache (CM), Alex Stoian (CF), etc.

--- Clearly the best and most choices here, 3 should be starters and many will get minutes

FCSB: Tavi Popescu (AM/LW), Alex Pantea (RB), Radaslavescu (CM/AM), Matei Tanasa (LW), Alex Maxim (GK)

--- Tavi and Pantea will probably start a lot of games, Radaslavescu might get minutes.

CFR Cluj: Hindrich, Sava (GKs), Robert Filip (CM), Tudor Lucaci (CM)

--- CFR seems to be using their U21s as goalies. Filip coming from Serie C, like Birligea. Wouldn't expect much.

CSU Craiova: Baiaram (AM/winger), Trica (CF), Ionut Mitran (RB), David Benga (LB), David Sala (DM), Marian Danciu (LW)

--- Baiaram #1 choice, with Trica and Mitran featuring in an emergency

Rapid: Cr. Ignat (CB), Panoiu (CM), Cirjan (CM/AM), El Sawy (AM), Alex Stan (forward), Ungureanu (GK)

--- Rapid has good options especially in central midfield, they won't suffer. I expect Cirjan and Panoiu to get the most minutes.

Sepsi: Bogdan Otelita (RB), Darius Oroian (RB), Iustin Grigore (CF), Denis Renta (DM), Akos Nistor (CM), Rajmund Niczuly (GK), Norbert Kocsis (CF)

--- Otelita and Oroian both come from L2, probably one of them will always start. Many options but meh

Dinamo: Costin Amzar (LB), A. Bani (CM), Bordusanu (RW), Denis Oncescu, Alex Stoian (GK), Yanis Cune (CB), David Irimia (RB), Alex Irimia (CM), Borcea (AM), Andrei Florescu (LW), and more...

--- Dinamo has a lot of options, and some decent ones. The bolded 3 seem the best.

FCU Craiova: Robert Popa (GK), maybe Blanuta (ST), Alex Blidar (RM), Ciobanu-Vanghele (RW)

--- Aside from R. Popa, FCU is weak here. There are some more unknowns they can use, though.

I bolded the ones who will almost certainly feature this season, though not necessarily get a lot of minutes.

2nd half later

 

2nd half of the U21 post...

Petrolul: Alex Musi (AM), Mario Bratu (RM), Alin Botogan (LW), Ionut Cojocaru (CF), Raul Bucur (CF), some more I don't know are listed

-- I don't know a great deal about these players... but at least I've heard of some. Musi on loan.

Voluntari: Chilili (CB), Doru Andrei (CM), Munteanu (LW), Paraschiv (GK), Voican (CM), Robert Popescu (LW)

-- Again, don't know much about them

U Cluj: Ovidiu Perianu (DM), Ianis Stoica (CF), Albert Hofman (CF), Rares Scocilca (DM), Denis Maneran (RW), Vasalie (CM)

-- decent options compared to the previous 2, quite good for a sub-average team

Hermannstadt: Dragos Iancu (CM), Utiu (GK), Bucuroiu (RW), Jipa (RM), Mitrica (CM)

-- Iancu seems to be best rated on TM... battling with Voluntari for the worst options.

Botosani: Gabriel David (CM), Gabriel Niculescu (CB), Tomache (GK), Carausu (CF), Cret (LB), Ilas (RB)

-- No one of note... crap tier with Voluntari and Sibiu

UTA: Rares Pop (RW), Mercioiu (CM), Negoescu (RW), Patlagica (RB), Cristian Maxim (RB)...

-- finally, I know someone here!

Otelul: Bodisteanu (AM), Andrei Rus (RB), Gabriel Ursu (GK), Stefan Farcas (RB), Razvan Tanasa (AM), Mereuta (CM), Bordun (RW)

-- similar to UTA, maybe a little better depth

Poli Iasi: Alex Militaru (CM), Stefanovici (LB), Ciaun (LB), Alex Mogos (LW), Antonio Dumitru (RW), others...

-- in the poorest choices squad



Overall ranking of options:

Can probably use all U21s and not relegate tier:

Farul

At least 2 very good options, and more decent ones, tier:

FCSB, Rapid, CSU Craiova, Dinamo, U Cluj

Mediocre, possibly one very good option and a struggle otherwise tier:

CFR, Sepsi, FCU Craiova, Petrolul, UTA, Otelul

I've never heard of their U21s in my life tier:

Botosani, Poli Iasi, Hermannstadt, Voluntari

 

Great report Foresta. Where did they get the names of the U21's?

I agree on the analysis. If the names are right, Doru Andrei form Voluntarii is the winger that played the U19 Euro last year. He was completely overlooked last season

Ilas from Botosani a 16 y old RB who seems to be talented

Some teams do look in trouble as you say. But it's normal cause the 2002 gen is the limit now so new names will get a chance and probably some will be pleasant surprises, like Rares Pop was last season

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the relegated teams will both be from the crap tier. I hope Voluntari relegates, but it's a shame cause all the other cities seem like they deserve L1 football. Historically speaking, Botosani should relegate, but they tend to over perform. Iasi with the weakest squad overall will probably relegate.


A ranking is easier said than done, but here's my prediction

Strictly financially and squad-wise, FCSB should win this title. If Jiji shuts up, they will win the title... but he won't. I'm thinking this might be Craiova's year.

1. Craiova
2. FCSB
3. Farul
4. Rapid
5. CFR
6. Sepsi
7. U Cluj
8. FCU
9. Petrolul
10. Hermannstadt
11. Otelul
12. Dinamo
13. UTA
14. Botosani
15. Voluntari
16. Poli Iasi

 

Hard to tell for me. FCSB may have the lead even with Becali if they keep their playoff form

Craiova always underperforms, can't see them as candidates. CFR got weaker. Farul may loose players after Europe, and won't use starters in the meantime

Rapid could be a surprise but they are still not strong enough on attack

 

Nice work

 

I haven't tuned in, but Rares Pop scored the first goal of the Superliga season!

 

@virgil and I are the only ones who have UTA winning.

 

No Postolachi, very surprising.

 

The Puscas of UTA

 

1-1 in Galati, Pop ties Pop

 

Otelul misses a PK (or Iacob saves it...)

 

First game ended 1-1 in Galati

Rapid vs Sepsi now

 

Cirjan cleared off the line by Tamas and a header off the crossbar. Safe to say he is gonna dominate Liga 1. Pundit @forestasuceava compares him to Sanmartean in his passing ability.

Sepsi fouling to just survive. Should be red cards by now, 14-20 fouls in 45 mins.

 

Rapid pull off their best players in 0-0 without any desire to win.. stupid management.

 

First day, first 0-0.

 

Farul using the 2nd team in Sibiu.

 

Grameni's back, baby. 0-1 in Sibiu, min. 56.

So far I'm winning the bet, @DinamoBuc

 

up 1-0 in day one

 

Poli Iasi seems to be dominating CFR.

But Birligea scored a goal after Iasi's was disallowed for offside...

CFR looks terrible. Especially Tiru. Mogos debuts.

 

U Cluj scores in Ploiesti after a FK and a 'schema'

Chipciu 0-1

I rate this U Cluj. I wouldn't be shocked if they reach the play-offs. But it's a long road and hard to predict.

 

Youngster Musi ties it, 1-1

 

FCU - FCSB ended 1-3. Good showing by Jiji's players.

 

merloi with two goals

 

league needs better officiating. Its incredibly boring when every attack is killed with a foul and no call or card.

They need to learn how to manage the league for viewership.

 

mitri is the difference maker in game one.

 

Hi, I do not know if this forum is the right place, but if not, please indicate such. Together with a few buddies we do football and fan tourism. In August we are going to the Craiova-Rapid match. I am looking for contact to the fans of one of the teams in order to establish contact, get information, exchange gadgets, etc. I'm waiting for private messages. Thank you in advance and sorry for cluttering the topic

 

Did you get a reply?

 

A dude gets off his ambulance bed and walked up the stairs after appearing dead yesterday. Today, 3 pens scored to win game by Larie, and FCSB destroying Dinamo.

Merloi 3 in 2 so far, looking real good.