Adrian Mihalcea’s Bold Message Before Botoșani Match: “UTA Needs Consistent Support”
UTA Arad hosts FC Botoșani in Arad on Saturday at 17:15. The match closes a busy day of direct confrontations in the Superliga play-out.
Standings and stakes
The game counts for matchday four of the play-out. UTA sits one point above Botoșani, 28 to 27, with the seventh place at stake.
UTA arrives with strong home results in the second phase. They beat Hermannstadt 3-2 and Metaloglobus 5-1.
Both teams have shown attacking intent. UTA has eight goals in the play-out so far. Botoșani has scored four.
UTA cannot qualify for European competition. The club lacks a Europa license and cannot enter the Conference League playoff. Coach Adrian Mihalcea has set quick mathematical safety as a priority. He also wants to reward supporters before Paște.
Mihalcea’s message and match approach
Mihalcea called for the same attitude the team showed in recent home matches. He warned against treating Botoșani’s 0-3 loss at Hermannstadt as a benchmark.
He stressed that FC Botoșani remains a quality opponent. The team changed organisation after Marius Croitoru arrived. Mihalcea insisted on realism and focus.
He appealed to the stands and asked fans for steady backing. UTA Needs Consistent Support, he said, not only in high-profile games.
Opposition threats
Botoșani relies on fast, technical wide players. Hervin Ongenda scored twice against FCSB. Sebastian Mailat also found the net and delivered the decisive regular-season goal in their earlier meeting.
Kovtalyuk returns from suspension. Dumiter has had a strong season. Mihalcea highlighted players such as Ongenda, Mailat, Bodișteanu and Mitrov as dangerous on the flanks.
UTA’s squad concerns
The hosts are thin on the wings. Luka Gojkovic suffered a serious injury in the previous Arad meeting with Botoșani. Marinos Tzionis picked up an injury with Cyprus.
Ime Ndon and Patriot Sejdiu are unavailable to play. Ndon is currently in Nigeria sorting a visa. Denis Țăroi is carrying a minor medical issue and is doubtful.
Finances and calendar
Mihalcea has voiced concern about the club’s finances. The latest balance sheet is in the red. Reported debts reach about 7 million euros and some wages are unpaid.
The coach downplayed alarmism. He said sporting results and the points cushion ease immediate pressure on the team.
UTA’s remaining play-out calendar after Botoșani includes several tough fixtures. The sequence is:
- away at Galați
- home versus Farul
- away at Ploiești
- home against Csikszereda
- away at Slobozia
The match in Arad promises intensity and a festive crowd ahead of Paște. Filmogaz.com will monitor developments and report on team news and the final score.
