Weekend wins boost Bucharest rivals

Both FC Steaua Bucuresti and local rivals AFC Rapid Bucuresti earned comfortable victories in the Romanian First Division at the weekend ahead of their UEFA Cup quarter-final second leg, a match that will start with the teams tied at 1-1 after last Thursday's opening 90 minutes.

FC Otelul Galati 0–3 FC Steaua Bucuresti
Steaua boosted their championship aspirations with victory in Galati on Sunday, despite missing several key players. Cosmin Olaroiu's side dominated possession throughout but had to wait until the 35th minute to take the lead, Andrei Cristea converting Vasilica Cristocea's cross. The Romanian champions doubled their lead two minutes after the break when captain Mirel Radoi converted a penalty following a foul on Cristea and victory was sealed in added time with Cristea scoring his second of the game.

Coach Olaroiu was without striker Victoras Iacob (shoulder) and midfielder Gabriel Bostina (ankle) while he decided to rest George Ogararu, Dorin Goian, Sorin Paraschiv and Banel Nicolita, but he was duly impressed by their replacements. "I'm delighted with the result, particularly because, once again, players that did not play so much in the first half of the season, such as Andrei Cristea, proved that I can rely on them and they are a real asset for the team."

FCU Politehnica Timisoara 1-3 AFC Rapid Bucuresti
Rapid extended their unbeaten run since the resumption of the season with a comeback win against high-flying Politehnica Timisoara on Sunday. Coach Razvan Lucescu rested Valentin Badoi, Daniel Niculae and Emil Dica, while Marius Maldarasanu and Artavazd Karamian are both injured, and the team started badly as they fell behind to a sixth-minute penalty from Gabriel Caramarin. However, that sparked a positive reaction as Mugurel Buga equalised from close range on the half-hour. Nine minutes after the interval Buga scored his second of the night, before both teams were reduced to ten men, with Nicolae Grigore dismissed for Rapid. But it did not deter the Bucharest side who completed the victory with a third goal from substitute Lucian Burdujan (72).

The three points were enough to help Rapid move above Politehnica Timisoara into third, six points behind leaders FC Dinamo 1948 Bucuresti and Steaua. Lucescu was delighted with the result, saying: "It was a well-deserved victory. We started badly, but the guys showed their strength. As for Thursday's match against Steaua, we play well away from home and almost always score, so I predict that it will be a very even match".