FCSBvs.Virtus

FCSB have a commanding six-goal lead after winning the first leg 7-1 in San Marino and are clear favourites to qualify for round two, where they will face Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Match preview

Despite entering the first leg as massive favourites, Ilias Charalambous showed his opponents their due respect by sending out a strong side which included the majority of players who featured in their league-winning team last season.

As a result, it was somewhat unsurprising to see FCSB dominate proceeding right from the off, with Darius Olaru giving his side the lead from the penalty spot inside the first six minutes of the game before doubling his tally five minutes later.

Olaru completed a first-half hat-trick in the 37th minute but not before Daniel Popa bagged a brace, putting their side 5-0 up by the break, allowing Charalambous to make four changes at halftime.

One of those changes included bringing on David Miculescu, who also took advantage of the weak opposing defence, and netted two goals in three minutes to all but guarantee the Red and Blues' entry to the next round of qualifying.

In what at times looked like a training session, FCSB maintained an incredible 80% possession and fired a total of 22 shots at goal compared to their opponents' five, only one of which was on target.

Indeed it was a long evening for the Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio outfit, which is made up mostly of amateur players who have full-time jobs as sales agents, lifeguards and even bank clerks.

Among them, though, was 39-year-old Federico Piovaccari, who played for FCSB in 2013-14 and was the last player to score a goal for the Romanian outfit in the Champions League group stage when the side drew 1-1 with Basel on November 6, 2013.

However, it was not only Piovaccari who had a moment of glory with a standing ovation, as Manuel Battistini also got his name up in lights by scoring arguably the biggest goal of his career in the dying moments of the match, albeit that it was a mere consolation for the side.

Unless we see one of the greatest comebacks of all time here, Virtus will move to the Conference League qualifiers after this where they are expected to face Flora, who are five goals down heading into their second-leg encounter with Celje.

FCSB Champions League form:

W

Virtus Champions League form:

L

Team News

Nana Antwi, Joyskim Dawa, David Miculescu and Baba Alhassan were all brought on at the break in the first leg and Charalambous may consider giving them the nod from the start this week.

FCSB are unable to call upon Vlad Chiriches and Marius Stefanescu who are suspended, while Octavian Popescu, Alexandru Pantea and Alexandru Musi are all sidelined through injury.

Elia Ciacci looked bright after coming off the bench for the San Marino champions last week and could be given a spot in the starting 11 this time around, potentially in place of Nicolo Vallocchia.

Battistini's goal should almost guarantee him a place in the starting lineup for the visitors and he will likely line up alongside veteran Ivan Buonocunto on the right-hand side of Virtus' attack.

FCSB possible starting lineup:

Tarnovanu; Antwi, Dawa, Harut, Kiki; Alhassan, Edjouma, Miculescu, Olaru, Phelipe; Popa

Virtus possible starting lineup:

Passaniti; Pupeschi, Rinaldi, De Lucia; Battistini, Montanari, Golinucci, Sabato; Buonocunto, Ciacci; Benincasa

We say: FCSB 4-0 Virtus

FCSB were dominant in the first leg and it is difficult to make a case for it going any differently this week. Short and sweet, we expect the hosts to secure another commanding victory in this one.

Previews by email