FCSB Owner Praises Israeli Midfielder Ofri Ard, Secures His Starting Role

FCSB (Steaua Bucharest) suffered their first league defeat of the season on August 23, losing 1-0 away to Cluj in the Romanian Liga I. Following the loss, club owner Gigi Becali expressed strong dissatisfaction with the team's overall performance and announced plans for a lineup overhaul. However, Israeli midfielder Ofri Ard received notable praise from Becali, who confirmed Ard would remain a regular starter in the midfield.

Ard came on as a substitute at halftime when FCSB was trailing and immediately energized the team. He nearly equalized in the 71st minute with a shot that hit the post. Becali highlighted Ard's impact, stating, "When Ofri Ard came on, the whole game changed. He will be a starting player, and not just because I want to give him more minutes. He and João Paulo will be at the center of the field."

In contrast, Becali sharply criticized other players, including captain Florin Tănase, whom Ard replaced at halftime. Becali accused Tănase of lacking passion and announced he would no longer play him in central midfield. The club's most expensive summer signing, Ayman Boutoutaou, who was also substituted at halftime, faced similar criticism. Becali questioned Boutoutaou's resilience and suggested he preferred David Miculescu for his strength and speed.

Despite the defeat and Becali's harsh remarks about the squad's quality, Ard's performance stood out as a bright spot and a potential solution in midfield for the Romanian champions moving forward.