2008/2009 Player Review

Goalkeepers

Eduard Stancioiu: Played for over half of the matches. Generally had some decent games, but he also made a lot of clumsy mistakes which cost him his spot on the starting line-up. 

Nuno Claro: Whenever he came on, he avoided making too many mistakes and he had some brilliant stops in several matches. Overall, he was probably CFR's best keeper this season.

Lars Hirschfeld: Even though he trained hard, he did not get the chance to play.

Defenders

Tony da Silva: He played extremely well until a bad injury with Bordeaux put him out until mid-spring. After recovering, he seemed more cautious than he usually is in his tackles, though his form has improved as of late.

Diarrassouba Vieira: He successfully replaced Tony as a right-back this spring even though he normally plays in the center. Vieira was a bit rudimentary at times, but the determination he showed was similar to that of Tony.

Manuel Jose: After Andone's arrival in 2007 he lost his place on the team. Jose played only in a few matches, and moved to Pacos de Fereira during the winter.

Ricardo Cadu: The captain was the pillar of the defense in the autumn and during the CL run. Unfortunately, an injury forced him off the pitch early on in the spring.

Andre de Galiassi: He showed much determination and was secure in the back during the autumn, but then he had an inexplicable falling out in the past few months, making many defensive errors.

Hugo Alcantara: Hardly played at all in the tour. After that, he was constantly on the starting line-up, especially after Cadu's injury opened up a free spot.

Dario Flores: He played only a little this spring, but he could not earn a consistent presence on the team. He played as a center-back or defensive midfielder, but he simply could not keep up at times.

Cristian Panin: He remains CFR's most consistent player. He successfully replaced Pereira and Tony as a left and right back, respectively. 

Pereira: He was the most expensive transfer in Liga 1 ever, costing €2,000,000. During the autumn, Alvaro played as a left-back, where he commanded the left-flank and earned a name in Europe. Uhrin played him as a midfielder where he could not excel as much. After the end of the season, he was transferred to Porto for €4,500,000.

Viana: He was brought in during the break, but he only played one game. It is unlikely he can compete at this level.

Midfielders

Dani: He was CFR's best defensive midfielder, known as "the invisible man" who connects the defense with the offence. 

Andre Leao: An injury kept him off the field for most of the season. He later began to play again, but he did not do so very well.

Garbriel Muresan: Originally, Ioan Andone completely ignored him. Strong performances in the CL earned Muresan a national team call-up. However, he played more as a center-back this spring and he did so poorly.

Sixto Peralta: He did not stand out during the autumn, but this spring in Trica's absence he became CFR's main playmaker.

Paolo Frangipane: He played very little, though when he did he seemed technical but slow.

Eugen Trica: He had trouble playing for the full 90 minutes early on, but he still had clear passes and a level head. He left for Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus during the winter, but returned in May of this year.

Bogdan Mara: His performances at first were similar to those of the entire team in March; very poor. He later recovered, scored goals, and earned assists.

Alin Minteuan: An injury ended his career early in the season, so he became Cluj's assistant coach.

Juan Emmanuel Culio: His performance was the most inconsistent of all the players. He scored two goals at Rome, but then again he also had some terrible matches in Liga 1.

Ciprian Deac: Ioan Andone started him early in the season with success. Trombetta and Uhrin almost completely ignored him. Late in the season, Conceicao gave him a chance, culminating in a goal during the cup final.

Emmanuel Kone: Trombetta put a lot of faith in Emmanuel, but everybody ignored him in the spring.

Christian Sanchez Prette: He was a talented player, so he should have gotten more chances to prove himself.

Gustavo Oberman: Though his C.V. was impressive, he could not rise up to CFR's level of play.

Forwards

Lacina Traore: He was the reserve team's top goal-scorer in the tour, and he successfully made his first team debut in April.

Sebastian Dubarbier: His speed proved decisive early on, but he got lazy and selfish after the winter break. 

Cleidimar Didi: He proved very useful early in the season, scoring several critical goals. Yet another long-term injury put him out again for the rest of the year.

Rade Veljovic: This talented youngster should have played more than just 10 minutes during the entire retour. Hopefully, he will be given a chance to succeed.

Yssouf Kone: He was the team's top goal-scorer with ten goals in Liga 1 and two in the CL. Y. Kone is clearly a level above almost every other player in Romania.

Christian Fabbiani: He left after the first round in August for Argentina.

Diego Ruiz: He hardly played at all until the spring when he scored a few very important goals.

Antonio Semedo: His departure to Steaua Bucharest after only six rounds shocked everyone.

        Next match:

Sept. 11/2010

7th Round 2010/11

Rapid - CFR Cluj  

Cluj-Napoca

Aug. 2 8/2010 

CFR Cluj-Pandurii

2-1

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