[Matchday] CFR Cluj v Celtic, Wed 7th August KO 19:00 Live on Premier Sports.

Dan Petrescu reckons his Cluj side have been unfairly punished because Celtic are allowed to name almost twice the amount of players in their Champions League squad after a shock UEFA Financial Fair Play ruling.

The Hoops face the Romanians next week in the Champions League third qualifying round showdown.

But Cluj have been hampered by a UEFA decision in June which fined them 200,000 Euros after their failed to comply with FFP regulations.


Of those 22 players, two are goalkeepers and three players are injured, causing Petrescu to lash out at European football's governing body.

He said: "We are only allowed to have 22 players and Emmanuel Culio and Michael Pereira are injured and George Tucudean is also doubtful.

Compare that to Celtic - they have 41 players on their lists! How is that fair?

"So we have to face those restrictions when we play Celtic which will be difficult enough.

"Celtic are a football factory. They pay some of their players more than 1million Euros a year and deal in transfers of tens of millions. It's a proper club who have unique fans.

"If we matched Celtic in terms of an equal transfer budget, I would say we had a 50/50 chance, but we don't have their budget."

 

He clearly doesn’t fancy his chances, almost sounds like another defeatist manager a bit closer to home

 

Wow didn’t know that anyone Remember the Boy? Pretty grim tbf

 

This game is ours to lose. They are already on the defensive because they know if we turn up they are *.

 

Can’t wait for this game !!

 

Changed my mind we win 5-2

 

I call BS. Petrescu is only trying to deflect pressure on to us, when in fact the Liga 1 and the Premiership is of the same quality. Make no mistake, Cluj is a decent team and will probably give us good fight over 180 + min, they're certainly no Kalju or Sarajevo.

 

I would agree. This round always seems to come down to one goal to go out or go through.

I think he’s trying to put pressure on us or he’s hoping we will underestimate his team since we’ve been so comfortable so far.

 

Not expecting to much from this game. We have back 4 that never played together yet.
That club has gamble every year with these qualifiers. If cluj is half decent. Can't see our defence keeping clean sheet.
Looks like they going sit deep and hit us on that counter.

 

An away goal or 2 would be excellent.

But should do the business at CP no other I think.

 

Can it not be Wednesday yet! I feel a buzz around us at the moment, not just the hammering yesterday but I REALLY pleased with the start of the season.

I was one of us totally against Lenny coming back, but Im enjoying watching us again! Was getting a tad boring and predictable with BR... Our players are all ticking aswell, playing with smiles on there faces! Couple more signings in key areas and we could have some squad depth...

 

Given the way that we are playing, it's hard not be confident about this squad coming away with a decent result out there.

3-1

 

Yes seems like he’s an important player for them as done a bit of research on him after I seen this seems he is one of not There main player , didn’t know he was at us as a youngster though

 

I've only see their previous games against Tel Aviv but they are no slouches. With the form we displayed on Saturday we should beat them over two legs.
Getting all excited about it already. Won't be long 'til the fear comes on.

 

He'll be guaranteed to score against us then

 

Hope we score 3 in 10 minutes so I dont need to sit for 180 mins feeling the fear.

 

With me the fear disappears with about 10 minutes to go to KO, then the battle fever comes on.
C'mon the Bhoys!

 

I only feel that on attack, just * it the entire time they attack

 

Lovely, haven't heard that one before. Give yourself a wee pat on the back.

In the meantime, here's some info and tips for anyone who's heading over to Romania for the first time.