FCSB owner launches sensational attack on Vitoria Guimarães: “they are too weak a team to worry me”
After a tight first leg battle with a place in the Europa League group stage at stake, you would expect those associated with either club to try and keep the pressure off their own team and, above all else, avoid geeing up the opposition.
The FCSB owner, however, didn't seem to get that memo as the controversial figure opened fire on Guimarães and their footballing ability, virtually giving Guimarães all the motivation needed to try and go out there and defeat their Romanian counterparts in Portugal in the return fixture.
In Romania, the match finished 0-0, both sides having opportunities to potentially snatch a goal. Ultimately though, the match finished level, and the tie remains fully in the balance, with both sides fancying their chances at progression.
It was the owner of FCSB, Gigi Becali, who was most vocal about his confidence though, and for one reason or another thought it sensible to come out and publicly criticise the opposition in the aftermath of a close encounter.
Speaking to the press, Becali said: “They (Guimarães) are too weak a side to worry me.”
“They couldn't score against us even if we played for three days. They have nothing, absolutely nothing.”
He went one step further to illustrate his confidence, stating “I'll cut off my head if they score against us.”
It seems an inexplicable thing for someone in such a high position to say at such a crucial moment in the tie, seemingly giving Guimarães extra incentive, while also piling the pressure onto his own side. He also leaves himself open to humiliation should Guimarães manage to knock out FCSB - or even score.
It also comes as a surprise considering Guimarães have been freescoring in the Europa League this campaign, having just knocked out Latvian runners-up Ventspils 9-0 in the last round.
Compare that to FCSB, who only knocked out Mlada Boleslav with a late goal in the second leg to make it 1-0 on aggregate.
The second leg of the clash occurs this Thursday, and there is extra level of intrigue surrounding the clash thanks to the words of Becali.
George Becali. Photo author: Vlad Hogea.
