CFR Cluj won their first match in the new UEFA Champions League season using a tight defense and playing an excellent counterattack game.
Sorin Cîrţu defensive game is now knowed 1.500 km from Romania. It reached Basel with the speed of light. "I don't know what to expect. I heared that he plays a defensive game", said Basel's coach before the game. He later realized why Cîrţu is known for his tight defense.
Blitz in 12 minutes
CFR Cluj played a typicall Romanian game agains Basel. Without any Italians on the pitch, the Romanian champions managed to pull up a great defensive game. Sorinaccio gave up the possesion, but the counterattacks were letal! Ionut Rada, the man that Andrea Mandorlini always forgot in the sands, scored the first goal of the match jumping higher than all the Basel defenders. Just 90 seconds later, Culio threw him self at the ball making it 2-0.
One mistake in the defense
KO in the first 15 minutes was more than Cluj could hope for. They immediatly moved back searching for a way to surprise once again the Swiss team. Fink started to push the game towards Nuno Claro's goal putting pressure on Cadu and Alcantara.
Huggel started Basel's attacking race, but Nuno Claro pulled a great save. Shaqiri narrowly missed the target from a free kick. When the game was heading towards half time, Stocker finally scored for Basel.
The second half was more alert. Traore made a solo run, but lost himself in front of Costanzo. Mureşan was also blocked by the Swiss defenders. De Zerbi and Ema Kone were brought in to light up CFR's game, but Basel wasn't dead yet.
What a match for Rada!
Cîrţu made a great chance in CFR's game by putting Rada in the first eleven. The former Steaua defender fulfilled his part scoring a wonderful goal in the 9th minute. Rada celebrate right
