Steaua recall glory in Spain

Valencia have beaten FC Steaua Bucuresti, the 1986 European champions, on their two previous competitive meetings. First paired together in the 1967/68 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, the Spanish side did not look back after José Claramunt put them ahead at home in the first minute of the first leg.

Two Fernando Ansola goals completed a 3-0 win and rendered academic a return in which Steaua captain Gheorghe Constantin scored the only goal. The aggregate margin of victory was doubled to four on their next encounter, Valencia progressing 7-3 to the second round of the 1998/99 UEFA Cup. Los Che's success owed much to two goals from Romanian striker Adrian Ilie in the 4-3 win in Bucharest.

Those triumphs are part of a run of succsses for Valencia against Romanian clubs which have seen the Mestalla outfit win all four ties contested. Their other victims have been FC Arges-Dacia Pitesti (6-4 on aggregate in the second round of the 1978/79 UEFA Cup) and FC Victoria Bucuresti (4-2, 1989/90 UEFA Cup first round). A goal ratio of 20-10 in recording five wins, one draw and two losses seemingly stands the holders in good stead.

Steaua will be playing their 15th game against Spanish opposition; one of which marked the proudest day in the club's history. On 7 May 1986 in Seville, Steaua overcame FC Barcelona on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time to win the European Champion Clubs' Cup in Seville.

Despite that success, Spanish sides historically hold the edge over Steaua. Of the previous 14 ties, Steaua have won five, drawn two (including the 1986 final) and lost seven - scoring 13 goals and letting in 27. The only victory in Spain was against Barcelona, 2-1, in the second round of the 1971/72 Cup Winners' Cup.

The most recent defeat came in the group stage of this season's UEFA Cup, when Joseba Exteberria's strike on the stroke of half-time ensured maximum points for Athletic Club Bilbao.