Liga 1 - Final Matchday
FCSB vs Astra Giurgiu
Stadionul Național, Bucharest
May 28th, 2017
The final match of the season was a formality. FCSB needed just a point to mathematically confirm the title, though realistically it was already won. CFR Cluj, four points behind, would have to beat Concordia by a massive margin while FCSB lost heavily—an almost impossible scenario.
Still, Reghecampf wasn't taking chances.
"We finish this properly," he told the squad during the final team meeting. "No complacency. We win the title on the pitch, not on a calculator."
The atmosphere was different from the Cluj match—celebratory rather than tense. Fans arrived early, already in party mode. Banners declared "CAMPIONI 2017" even before kickoff. The championship trophy sat on a podium at the side of the pitch, waiting to be lifted.
Andrei woke that morning and immediately checked the system—something he'd been doing less frequently lately, but today felt significant.
ANALYSIS - SEASON SUMMARY
Player: Andrei Luca
Age: 18
Position: CAM/LW
Club: FCSB
OVERALL RATING: 74.9/99
Starting Rating (August 2016): 66.0/99
Season Growth: +8.9 points
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES:
Pace: 76/99 (+2)
Strength: 65/99 (+2)
Stamina: 70/99 (+3)
TECHNICAL ATTRIBUTES:
Dribbling: 72/99 (+4)
Shooting: 71/99 (+7)
Passing: 69/99 (+7)
Ball Control: 73/99 (+3)
MENTAL ATTRIBUTES:
Vision: 68/99 (+7)
Positioning: 70/99 (+7)
Composure: 62/99 (+5)
SEASON STATISTICS (All Competitions):
Appearances: 34 (24 starts)
Minutes: 2,147
Goals: 14
Assists: 11
Average Match Rating: 7.6/10
Key Passes per Game: 2.3
Successful Dribbles per Game: 2.8
Distance Covered per Game: 10.8 km
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS:
2 Derby goals vs Dinamo București
2 Goals vs SS Lazio (Europa League)
Title-winning goal vs CFR Cluj
Liga 1 Champion (2016-17)
Europa League Round of 16
AREAS OF SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT:
Shooting: Most improved attribute (+7 points)
Vision: Elite progression for age (+7 points)
Passing: Professional level achieved (+7 points)
Composure: Still developing but progressing (+5 points)
WEAKNESSES REMAINING:
Composure under pressure (62/99 - needs improvement)
Physical strength (65/99 - below average for top leagues)
Consistency (some matches 9/10, others 6/10)
PROJECTED TRAJECTORY:
Current path suggests rating of 77-79 by end of 2017-18 season if development continues. Potential ceiling: 83-85 (giant club starterplayer ) if optimal development maintained.
TRANSFER MARKET VALUE:
Start of season: €500k
Current value: €10-12 million
Potential value (with another strong season): €20-25 million
CLUBS TRACKING:
Inter Milan (Serie A) - Strong Interest
Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga) - Monitoring
Sevilla FC (La Liga) - Initial Contact
Ajax Amsterdam (Eredivisie) - Scouting
RB Salzburg (Austrian Bundesliga) - Serious Interest
RECOMMENDATION:
Player has exceeded expectations significantly. One more season at FCSB could solidify development, but move to mid-tier European club now also viable. Optimal move: Step-up league (Eredivisie, Belgian Pro League, or Portuguese Liga) or strong Bundesliga club with development pathway.
Andrei stared at the display, processing everything. A year ago, he'd been a 66-rated prospect from Iași. Now he was approaching 75—borderline elite for Romanian football, and genuinely interesting to European clubs.
The numbers validated what he'd felt: he'd grown tremendously, but still had work to do. His composure had improved but remained his biggest weakness. His physical strength was adequate for Romania but would be tested abroad.
One more season? Or make the jump now?
His phone buzzed. Elena: Big day. How are you feeling?
Looking at stats. Trying to process everything.
Stop overthinking. Just enjoy today. You're about to win the league.
She was right. Today was for celebration, not analysis.
The pre-match atmosphere was carnival-like. Players warmed up to constant cheering, every touch applauded. Children ran onto the pitch for photos. The championship trophy gleamed in the May sunshine.
FCSB Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
GK: Andrei Vlad
DEF (RB): Romario Benzar
CB: Marko Momčilović
CB: Ionuț Panțîru
DEF (LB): Risto Radunović
CDM: Mihai Pintilii (C)
CDM: Filipe Teixeira
RW: Florinel Coman
CAM: Constantin Budescu
LW/CAM: Andrei Luca
ST: Harlem Gnohere
Astra Giurgiu Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
GK: Silviu Lung Jr.
DEF (RB): Geraldo Alves
CB: Júnior Maranhão
CB: Fabricio
DEF (LB): David Martins
CDM: Takayuki Seto
CDM: Constantin Budescu
RW: William Amorim
CAM: Florin Lovin
LW: Fernando Boldrin
ST: Claudiu Keșerü
Astra had nothing to play for—mid-table finish secured, no relegation fears. They came to compete but not to spoil the party.
Kickoff brought a roar from 40,000 fans. FCSB attacked from the start, playing with freedom and joy. This wasn't desperate, survival football—this was celebration.
In the 8th minute, the party started early.
Radunović overlapped down the left and crossed low into the box. The ball skipped through several players before falling to Andrei at the edge of the penalty area.
One touch to control, one strike with his right foot. The ball flew into the bottom corner before Lung could react.
GOAL. 1-0 FCSB.
Goal Scored - 15th of the season
Shooting: +0.1 (clinical finish)
Andrei didn't celebrate wildly. He just smiled, raised his arms, and let his teammates mob him. No pressure, no desperation—just pure joy.
The match became a showcase. FCSB played beautiful football—one-touch passing, clever movement, constant attacking. Astra defended professionally but without real intensity.
In the 34th minute, Budescu added a second with a trademark free kick. In the 51st, Gnohere made it 3-0 with a powerful header from Coman's cross.
The crowd was in raptures, already celebrating the title that was mathematically confirmed when news came through that CFR Cluj was only drawing with Concordia.
In the 67th minute, Reghecampf began making substitutions—giving fringe players their moment, allowing key men to leave the pitch to standing ovations.
When Andrei's number came up in the 73rd minute, the stadium rose as one. 40,000 people standing, applauding, chanting his name.
"LUCA! LUCA! LUCA!"
He jogged to the touchline, overwhelmed by the reception. Reghecampf hugged him tightly.
"Incredible season, kid. Absolutely incredible."
Andrei took his seat on the bench, wrapped in a jacket, watching the final minutes unfold. His teammates were smiling, playing with abandon. This was what football should be—joy, not burden.
Final whistle: FCSB 3-0 Astra Giurgiu.
The stadium erupted. Players jumped, danced, sprayed champagne. Confetti cannons exploded, covering the pitch in red and blue.
LIGA 1 FINAL STANDINGS (2016-17):
FCSB - 90 points (Champions)
CFR Cluj - 84 points
Universitatea Craiova - 74 points
Astra Giurgiu - 67 points
Dinamo București - 65 points
Champions. FCSB had reclaimed their throne.
The trophy presentation was emotional. Pintilii lifted the championship trophy as captain, and the stadium shook with noise. Each player took turns holding it, kissing it, raising it to the sky.
When Andrei's turn came, he held the trophy above his head and looked up at the stands. Somewhere in the press box, Elena was watching. Somewhere in Iași, his mother was crying with joy. Somewhere beyond, his father was smiling.
I made something of myself, Tată. Just like you asked.
ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: LEAGUE CHAMPION
Mental Attributes: All +0.2 (confidence boost)
Legacy Status: Established
Overall Rating: 74.9 → 75.1
MILESTONE: 75 OVERALL RATING ACHIEVED
Status: Elite Romanian Player
European Quality: Confirmed
The post-match celebration continued for hours. A stage was set up on the pitch, music blasted, players gave speeches. The crowd refused to leave, wanting to soak in every moment.
Andrei eventually slipped away to the tunnel, needing a moment of quiet. He found Elena waiting, as he knew she would be.
"Champion," she said simply.
"Champion," he repeated, still not quite believing it.
"How does it feel?"
"Unreal. Perfect. Terrifying."
"Terrifying?"
"Because now I have to decide what comes next. And because I know that nothing will ever be quite like this again—my first title, at eighteen, with this team, in this moment."
Elena took his hands. "Then remember it. Hold onto it. Let it fuel you for whatever comes next."
"Will you come with me? Wherever I go?"
"We'll figure it out," she promised. "But Andrei—you need to make the decision that's right for your career. I'll adapt. My work is portable. Your window to be an elite footballer isn't."
"I don't want to choose between you and football."
"You're not. I'm choosing to come with you, if that's what you want. But first, you have to choose where you're going."
They kissed in the tunnel, the sound of celebration echoing around them.
Relationship Status: Committed
Support System: Strong
Foundation: Secure
The team celebration continued into the night—a party at an exclusive club in the Old Town. Andrei made an appearance, drank some champagne, accepted congratulations from everyone. But he left early, overwhelmed by the attention.
He went to Elena's apartment, and they made love slowly, tenderly, both of them aware that their Bucharest bubble was about to burst.
Afterward, lying in the darkness, Elena asked the question that had been hanging between them.
"When are the meetings?"
"Sarmale set up three for next week. Inter Milan on Monday, Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, Sevilla on Friday."
"Three giants in five days."
"Yeah."
"Do you know what you want?"
Andrei was quiet for a long moment. "I want to keep developing. I want playing time, not bench warming. I want a club that believes in young players." He paused. "And I want you with me."
"Then those are your criteria. Any club that doesn't meet them isn't the right move."
"It's not that simple—"
"Yes, it is. You're eighteen years old and worth €10 million. You have leverage. Use it."
She was right. He wasn't desperate anymore. He was a champion, a proven commodity, a player with options.
"I'm scared," he admitted.
"Good. If you weren't scared, I'd be worried. Fear means you understand what's at stake." Elena propped herself up on one elbow. "But Andrei—don't be so scared that you make a safe choice when you should make a brave one."
"What's the brave choice?"
"That's for you to decide."
They fell asleep tangled together, the championship trophy sitting somewhere in the FCSB offices, his future sitting in meeting rooms across Europe, waiting to be decided.
Season Complete: 2016-17
Status: CHAMPION
Next Phase: Transfer Decision
Everything is about to change