Cristi Balaj rates referee Horațiu Feșnic 8.4 after FCSB defeat of Rapid

FCSB secured a decisive 4-1 victory over Rapid in a recent derby match officiated by Horațiu Feșnic. The performance of the central referee drew specific attention from former international official Cristi Balaj, who provided an exclusive analysis of the game management.

Balaj assigned Feșnic a rating of 8.4 for his handling of the high-intensity encounter. He explained that the score was not higher simply because the referee did not face particularly difficult decisions during the match. Balaj described the performance as comparable to receiving a high mark in school, noting that Feșnic managed the game effectively without major controversies.

Beyond the officiating, Balaj analyzed the tactical disparities between the two teams. He identified midfield superiority as the primary factor in FCSB's win. Specifically, he highlighted that FCSB players Muhar and Radunovic outperformed their Rapid counterparts, Doumbia and Grameni, in decisive duels. This control in the center of the park allowed FCSB to dominate the flow of the game.

The former referee also credited FCSB head coach Laurențiu Reghecampf for strategic physical preparation. Balaj stated that Reghecampf had planned for the team to reach peak physical condition specifically for this derby. This approach involved accepting risks in previous weeks, including a match against Voluntari where the team appeared fatigued due to heavy training loads. Balaj suggested this fatigue was a calculated part of the preparation cycle.

Regarding the refereeing style, Balaj praised Feșnic for allowing a high level of physical contact without issuing immediate disciplinary cards. He noted that this approach was risky but proved effective as players accepted the intensity. Balaj concluded that the referee's decision to let the game flow contributed to the match's competitive nature, earning further praise for his management of the aggressive duels.