Somes

I couldn't see the first incident very clearly because of other players blocking the view. You can barely see an outstretched arm from a Steaua defender (so there is a chance of foul play), but it looks like Murphy tried to reach the cross ball, tripped as he was trying to hit it and fell on his behind. As for the second stunt, the one in the 6 yard box, he dived head in. Maybe if he hadn't flailed his arms like that asking for a pen.. When has a player ever obtained one by pleading with the ref? I don't think Ionescu's handball was intentional (as in, trying to obtain an advantage in the game). It was a split-second instinctual response, to shield his face from the shot. Even so, there's an unofficial 'law of compensation.' If you have 3 not very obvious penalty appeals, you should get a penalty that third time. The ref mustn't have heard about it. P.S. Oh, and I don't think Stancu had a very clear penalty either. He was surrounded by a handful of Motherwell defenders so it's unlikely he would have managed to get past them - probably entered the box looking to be brought down.

Murphy dived twice. The handball was a penalty.

George Becali, Steaua owner: "Motherwell were full of enthusiasm and ambition and we're not Barcelona either. We passed the best we could, but they gave us some trouble." Valeriu Argăseală, chief executive: "They gave us a thrill, they had nothing to lose and gave it their best shot." Cristiano Bergodi, coach: "We didn't play very well in the first half, only then did we pull it together. We didn't have a lot of chances either, but still scored three goals. That's good for a young squad like ours. Fielding Ninu and Bibishkov might have raised a few eyebrows, but they need to play official games to get back into shape. Some patience is still needed, as we have many youngsters. A very strong squad can emerge once they start playing to their full potential."

Actually, the article said 'yellow'. I don't think we have a word for the colour amber. For me it's either 'orange' or 'gold'.

Fresh article from our top sports newspaper: "High horse Johnnie Walker himself could've gone past Steaua's defenders tonight. Sure, the team went through, Stancu scored a beautiful goal. "His price just went up a million", a mind-numbing conclusion from the commentators. Until Steaua's first goal, we were living an orange nightmare - the Scots' shirt colour and also that of the stands, teeming after every throw-in. Had the Spaniard awarded them a penalty in the first half, things would have become quite complicated. Let's shake this off quickly and realize there was an element of luck in our teams' victories. For Steaua, the Europa League starts tomorrow, as well as for Dinamo Bucharest and CFR Cluj. As for Timisoara, it did superbly, but only now do the true dangers and large sums of money come along. Less ego and more sweat is what we need."

Thank you! And good luck in the SPL! You know, had it not been for Stancu's penalty, things might have gone in a different direction. It took a goal to take away some of the lead in Steaua's boots, but they still weren't very impressive. Complacency at its finest. Gaffer needs to work on that.

We always play better after half-time. Drawing against Ujpest (both legs) and Ceahlaul in the championship at half-time, scored two against each in the second half.

Murphy dived in the box about twenty minutes into the game - the ref must've thought all those penalty appeals were part of a strategy. But, in all honesty, hats off to Motherwell. You would have deserved a draw, no doubt about it. Still ten minutes to go though!

You do!

Yeah.. They got him cheap, according to transfermarkt.de he was worth €3.4 mil. But we've got youngsters like Tudose or Iacob who will follow in his footsteps. Also, Romania's no. 10, Cristian Tănase, is now Steaua's player for €1.8 mil (for 50% of his transfer rights). Him scoring against Austria in the 2010 WC qualifiers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT1_NHl-zuY

Yes, that's a beautiful gesture. I think it was your chairman who started it all after he visited Bucharest?

'fficial training in Airdrie.

Probable Steaua line-up for Thursday. Bolded players were also starters in the first leg. Tătăruşanu – Golanski, Baciu, Ghionea, Marin – Nicoliţă, Onicaş, Ionescu, Ochiroşii – Stancu, Bibishkov.

A few videos for your viewing pleasure: Barcelona 0-2 Steaua, 1986 European Champions Cup Final http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiXgSXstYZY Steaua goalkeeper saves all four penalty shots.. And you're going to enjoy these two: England 1-2 Romania (1998 World Cup, Group Stage) - Dan Petrescu nutmegging David Seaman in overtime England 2-3 Romania (EURO 2000, Group Stage) - England goes home http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqOLKZJKZZ4

Romanian Liga I, Matchday 1: Ceahlăul 0-2 Steaua (Kapetanos 80', Toja 90') Goals: HERE

I wouldn't mind you bagging one or two goals as long as Steaua score one more.

Wouldn't want to burst your bubble, but Steaua need every win they can get their hands on. As of next season their high coefficient from 2005/06 (when they reached the semis) will count for nothing, so they need to rack up as many wins and points as possible to make sure they're still seeded in future draws (and by raising Romania's overall coefficient, we get more teams in the UCL and Europa League - currently a total of 6). So don't expect them to take the return leg too lightheartedly.

Steaua fans chanting it: "Haideţi pe ei, pe mama lor" literally means "Come on, onto them, onto their mother"; the meaning is that written by sera (let's take the game to them).

If you're wondering about the reactions in the Romanian press today.. The Steaua - Motherwell game has enjoyed far greater coverage than that of the other Romanian team involved in the Europa League 3rd qual. round, Vaslui (who defeated Omonia Nicosia 2-0). The articles don't say much about Motherwell, apart from statements from the manager and players. According to UEFA, Steaua had 26 shots (12 on goal), which means your Ruddy saved 9 - including a penalty! A lot has been written about youngster Ionescu, who successfully replaced suspended Toja in midfield, and also about Grzelak. Steaua's coach called Jim Gannon a 'true gentleman'. Cristiano Bergodi, Steaua coach: "I like it when we play football, put the ball down, I like it when we're technical. After this result I'm not worried about the second leg. I don't want to comment on Motherwell, but we had a good game. I liked Onicaş and Grzelak's dribbling antics. We're going to have a good game this weekend when the league starts. I was pleasantly surprised with Jim Gannon, who came to our dugout at the start of the game and shook hands with everyone. He's a true gentleman. I was also very flattered when he said we had taught them a lesson in football."

A strategy that seems to be working in Romania these days is rebuilding a team around a nucleus of 3-4 experienced players (but not too old) and then trying out youngsters. There are a few youth academies in the country that produce rough gems every once in a while, and a decent 17 year old costs what, a few tens of thousands? Tops. I don't know how large your club's budget it, but it looks like you have a dedicated and tactically-savvy manager. What about a corresponding figure within the club's management? Someone on the lookout for young talents in the UK and even places like Scandinavia. For little money you could invest in youngsters (even more than you do now) and hit two birds with one stone: stay afloat in the SPL and create a strong team for the future. I think your best possible transfer would be a club executive/scout with an eye for talented kids.

@ABC123: None whatsoever. One thing has to be said, beyond what went on on the pitch: great display of fair-play from the Motherwell fan base, both here and in the stands. I'm looking forward to reading your friends' travel impressions from Bucharest, hope they had a good time. That Mitch lad certainly did. Ghionea (central def.), Toja (midfield) and Marin (left back) will be back in the fray next week, perhaps keeper Zapata will get a shot as he hasn't played at all this season, with youngster Tătăruşanu having nicked his first-team spot. Good night to you all and have a good weekend. Thanks for the chat!

That McAlister lad from Greenock Morton had a shot at playing in the Champions League this autumn.. Dan Petrescu's Urziceni team (Romanian champions) purportedly wanted to sign him. Any news on that?

Oh you can be sure I'll be keeping an eye on Motherwell's fixtures this season. I've never sided with any particular SPL side before, so it might as well be yours now that I know the players a bit.

Our commentators said this wasn't Craigan's first own-goal.. Unfortunate for a captain, that. Steaua's captain from a few years back, Rădoi, scored an OG in a Champs League match against Rosenborg, but then scored a screamer from outside the box a few minutes later. Craigan didn't look very cool-headed, but rather pissed off with both Steaua's dribbling (and diving antics) and his colleagues in the defence.

He's on loan, actually - need to decide if we keep him come season's end.