FC Politehnica Iași (2010)

This article is about the football club established in 2010. For the dissolved club, see FC Politehnica Iași (1945). For other uses, see Politehnica Iași.

Politehnica Iași

Full name	Fotbal Club Politehnica Iași
Nickname(s)	Alb-albaștrii (The White and Blues) Trupa din Copou (Copou Squad)
Short name	Poli Iași
Founded	16 August 2010;10 years ago (2010-08-16) as ACSMU Politehnica Iași
Ground	Emil Alexandrescu
Capacity	11,390
Owner	Iași Municipality
Chairman	Ion Bucu
Manager	Nicolò Napoli
League	Liga I
2019–20	Liga I, 12th of 14
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours Third colours
Current season

Active departments of CS Politehnica Iași
Football	Basketball (Men's)	Basketball (Women's)
Handball (Men's)	Rugby (Men's)	Rugby (Women's)
Athletics	Shooting	Weightlifting

Fotbal Club Politehnica Iași (Romanian pronunciation:  [po.liˈteh.nika ˈjaʃʲ] ), commonly known as Politehnica Iași or simply Poli Iași, is a Romanian professional football club based in the city of Iași, Iași County, currently playing in the Liga I.

The team was formed in 2010 as ACSMU Politehnica Iași ^[1] and regard themselves as the continuation of the original Politehnica Iași which was dissolved in the same year. ACSMU began competing in the second division and made its first Liga I appearance in the 2012–13 season. Between 2011 and 2016, the club was named Studențesc Iași.

In the 2017–18 campaign, again under the name of Politehnica, it equalled the best result of its predecessor after finishing sixth place in the Romanian championship. The Emil Alexandrescu Stadium has been the home ground of both entities and has a capacity of 11,390.

History

Main article: FC Politehnica Iași (1945)

Foundation and first years (2010–2014)

The original Politehnica Iași was established in April 1945 and folded in 2010 because of unpaid debts. ^[2] In August that year, Tricolorul Breaza merged with Navoby Iași and formed ACSMU Politehnica Iași. ^[3] Playing in the Liga II, the club's objective was to return to the first tier of Romanian football.

Ionuț Popa was appointed manager of the newly founded club and Grigore Sichitiu was elected as executive president. ^[4]

In the summer of 2011, the club was renamed Clubul Sportiv Municipal Studențesc Iași, or simply CSMS Iași. For the second half of the 2011–12 season ex-Romanian international Florin Prunea was brought in as president. ^[5] On 2 June 2012, after the 4–2 victory against Farul Constanța. ^[6] the team gained promotion to Liga I, ^[7] after two years in the second tier of Romanian football.

On 29 August, Liviu Ciobotariu was appointed head coach. ^[8] The Moldavian team finished the 2012–13 season in 17th place and were relegated to the second division. Even though there were hopes that they would be accepted for the 2013–14 Liga I season, eventually CS Concordia Chiajna secured the last place in the first league, due to the relegation of FC Rapid București for financial reasons. ^[9]

For the 2013–14 Liga II season, promising young coach Costel Enache was brought in to head a team that retained the services of its young talent, the likes of Alexandru Crețu, Adrian Avrămia and Andrei Hergheligiu. ^[10]

Return to the top division (2014–present)

Former logo, used between 2016 and 2018

After Marius Lăcătuș replaced Enache as manager, Politehnica finished 1st in the 2013–14 Liga II and were promoted back to Liga I. For the 2014–15 season, the club played for their first time in the Cupa Ligii, defeating ASA Târgu Mureș and advancing to the last-16, where they eliminated former Romanian Cup and Liga I winner CFR Cluj. ^[11]

Name	Period
ACSMU Politehnica Iași	2010–2011
CSM Studențesc Iași	2011–2016
CSM Politehnica Iași	2016–2018
FC Politehnica Iași	2018–present

The 2015–16 Liga I season was one of the best in the short history of Politehnica Iași and in the football history of Iași. After a great campaign, the team finished 7th and qualified for the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League under the command of Italian coach Nicolò Napoli, with a team that relied on experienced players like: Andrei Cristea, Bojan Golubović, Ionuț Voicu and Branko Grahovac. ^[12] In the second round of the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League, Politehnica encountered Croatian team Hajduk Split and after a 2–2 draw at Iași, they were defeated at Split 1–2, prematurely leaving the competition. ^[13]

On 22 July 2016, the club announced that it had changed its name, from CSM Studențesc Iași to CSM Politehnica Iași, a name more closely linked to the Iași football tradition and dissolved FC Politehnica Iași (1945). ^[14]

In June 2017, president Florin Prunea was let go after five years at the helm of Politehnica Iași. ^[15] Adrian Ambrosie was subsequently appointed to the position. After a number of major departures, with the likes of Lukács Bőle and Daisuke Sato finishing their contracts, the team went into major reconstruction and signed a number of foreign internationals, like Denis Rusu, Kamer Qaka, Luwagga Kizito and Platini. ^{[16] [17] [18]} On 24 February 2018, despite of a 0–1 loss to defending champions Viitorul Constanța, Poli Iași became the first team from Moldavia to qualify for the Liga I play-off round since its introduction in 2015. ^[19] To the delight of manager Flavius Stoican, they went on to finish the league in 6th place, thus equalling the best result of predecessor FC Politehnica Iași.

On 11 July that year, the club announced that it earned the right to use the FC Politehnica Iași logo and name, which was considered to be the first step in the plan of regaining the club's full identity, the next one being the recovery of their record. ^[20]

Stadium

Politehnica Iași plays its home matches at the Emil Alexandrescu stadium. It is located in the borough of Copou, near the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, and has a capacity of 11,390 seats. ^[21]

Emil Alexandrescu Stadium.

Support

The biggest ultras groups of Politehnica Iași are Băieții Veseli and Ultras. Both supported FC Politehnica Iași (1945) until dissolution and regard the new team as its successor. They have friendly relationships with Zimbru Chișinău. ^[22]

Rivalries

Politehnica Iași's main rival is FC Vaslui, and matches between these clubs are known as the "Moldavian Derby". The rivalry developed in the 2001–02 Divizia C, when the previous club from Vaslui, Sportul Municipal, was fighting for promotion to Divizia B together with Poli Iaşi, with the latter winning the championship and earning promotion to Divizia B. The rivalry between FC Vaslui and Politehnica Iaşi was fueled by another clash for promotion, this time in the 2003–04 Divizia B, with the whites and blues prevailing yet again. ^[23] Ever since, the two sets of supporters participate in what is known as "The Derby of Moldavia". However, starting with their second season in Liga I, the tables have turned in favour of Vaslui after massive investments from the chairman, Adrian Porumboiu, with the yellow-greens dominating their rivals until their dissolution in 2014.

There are other smaller rivalries with Oțelul Galați and FC Botoșani. ^[24]

Honours

Domestic

Leagues

• Liga II
  • Winners (2): 2011–12, 2013–14

Players

Current squad

As of 21 February 2021 ^{[25] [26]}

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK   ROU Teodor Axinte 2 DF   CPV Rodny Lopes 3 DF   GRE Nikos Baxevanos (on loan from Lazio ) 4 DF   ROU Ovidiu Mihalache (Vice-captain) 5 DF   ROU Ștefan Cană (on loan from FCSB ) 6 DF   ROU Răzvan Popa 7 MF   ROU Doru Popadiuc 8 MF   ARG Juan Pablo Passaglia (4th captain) 9 FW   BIH Dženan Zajmović 10 FW   ROU Andrei Cristea (Captain) 11 MF   BEL Floriano Vanzo 12 GK   ROU Laurențiu Brănescu 13 DF   ROU Cosmin Saizu 17 FW   GHA Joseph Mensah 18 MF   ARG Manuel de Iriondo 19 DF   ROU Răzvan Onea

No. Pos. Nation Player 20 MF   CPV Platini 22 MF   ARG Pablo Gaitán 24 DF   ROU Sorin Bușu (3rd captain) 26 MF   ROU Ionuț Moisă 28 FW   MNE Uroš Đuranović 29 MF   ROU Antonio Stan 30 DF   ROU Victor Petrișor 32 MF   VEN Rafael Acosta 42 FW   ROU Alexandru Zaharia 70 MF   CRC Dylan Flores 77 FW   CRC Deyver Vega 88 MF   ROU Francisc Cristea 90 FW   ROU Andreias Calcan 95 GK   MDA Ianoș Brînză (on loan from Botoșani ) 97 DF   ROU Ștefan Rusu

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 33 GK   ROU Denis Ciofu(to Unirea Slobozia) — GK   ROU Adrian Duță(to Dante Botoșani) — GK   ROU Eduard Belibrov(to Gloria Albești) — DF   ROU Sebastian Cotiugă(to Bradu Borca) — DF   ROU Vlad Gangal(to Bradu Borca)

No. Pos. Nation Player — DF   ROU Tudor Ciobanu(to Bradu Borca) — MF   ROU Denis Iftimie(to Sporting Vaslui) — MF   ROU Alexandru Păvăluc(to Bradu Borca) — MF   ROU Constantin Aeroaiei(to CSM Pașcani)

Club officials

Administrative staff Role Name Owner Iași Municipality President Ion Bucu Board Members Adrian Ambrosie Leonid Antohi Ioan Melinte Ion Apostol Dragoș Gașpar Youth Center Manager Nucu Antohi Team Manager Marius Onofraș Sports Complex Administrator Virgil Grierosu Last updated: 13 April 2021 Source: Board of directors

Technical staff Role Name Manager Nicolò Napoli Assistant Manager Marian Rada Goalkeeping Coach Benone Dohot Fitness Coaches Cezar Honceriu Riccardo Proietti Video Analyst Emil Isac Club Doctors Andreea Perju Masseurs Felix Zăpodeanu Bogdan Maricescu Storeman Gheorghe Ungheanu Last updated: 21 March 2021 Source: Technical staff

Statistics and records

League history

Season League Pos. Notes Cupa României 2020–21 Liga I TBD Round of 16 2019–20 Liga I 12 Semi-finals 2018–19 Liga I 10 Round of 16 2017–18 Liga I 6 Quarter-finals 2016–17 Liga I 7 Round of 16 2015–16 Liga I 7 Quarter-finals

Season League Pos. Notes Cupa României 2014–15 Liga I 10 Round of 16 2013–14 Liga II (Seria I) 1 Promoted Fifth Round 2012–13 Liga I 17 Relegated Round of 32 2011–12 Liga II (Seria I) 1 Promoted Fourth Round 2010–11 Liga II (Seria II) 6 Fourth Round

European Cups history

Season	Competition	Round	Opponent	Home	Away	Aggregate
2016–17	UEFA Europa League	2Q	Hajduk Split	2–2	1–2	3–4

Notes

• 1Q: First qualifying round
• 2Q: Second qualifying round
• 3Q: Third qualifying round
• PO: Play-off round

European cups all-time statistics

Main article: FC Politehnica Iași (2010) in European football

As of 1 December 2017

Competition	S	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
UEFA Europa League	1	2	0	1	1	3	4	−1
Total	1	2	0	1	1	3	4	−1

References

1. http://iasisport.gsp.ro/stiri/6377/o-noua-echipa-ieseana-acsmu-poli-tricolorul-breaza-in-liga-a-iii-a.htm ACSMU Politehnica Iasi after the fusion with Tricolorul Breaza
2. "Istoria fotbalului la Iaşi. 68 de ani de existenţă, opt denumiri ale echipei, zece retrogradări în diviziile inferioare şi un singur sezon de povestit nepoţilor" [History of football in Iași. 68 years of existence, eight names for the team, ten relegations in the lower divisions and only one season to tell the grandchildren]. Adevărul (in Romanian). 4 July 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
3. "Retrospective-ACSMU analysis". Prosport (in Romanian). 2 August 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
4. "Popa la ACSMU". bzi.ro (in Romanian). 2 July 2010. Retrieved 2 June 2010.
5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2012-06-05. Popa revine la Iasi
6. "Viitorul si CSMS in Liga I". Liga2.prosport.ro. Retrieved 2012-06-02.
7. "CSMS in Liga I". Gsp.ro. Retrieved 2012-06-02.
8. "Schimbări de antrenori în Liga 1 " Cine sînt numele noi de la CSMS Iaşi şi CS Severin!". Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 29 August 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
9. "CSMS Iaşi se pregăteşte de Liga 1, deşi a retrogradat pe teren". Gazeta Sporturilor (in Romanian). 28 June 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
10. "CSMS Iaşi: 5 nume pentru un singur post". ProSport (in Romanian). 14 June 2013. Retrieved 2 August 2013.
11. "CUPA LIGII: CSMS Iaşi – CFR Cluj 4–2" [League Cup: CSMS Iaşi – CFR Cluj 4–2]. Libertatea . 20 July 2014. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
12. "Revenire incredibilă a lui CSMS Iaşi, care va juca în Europa. Rezultatele ultimei etape" . Retrieved 23 July 2016.
13. "CSMS Iaşi a pierdut returul contra lui Hajduk Split, scor 2–1" [CSMS Iaşi loses return leg against Hajduk Split, final score 2–1]. ProSport . Retrieved 23 July 2016.
14. WWW.BRANDWEB.RO, BRANDWEB -. "Bine ai revenit, Poli Iași, în fotbalul românesc! : STIRI : CSMS IASI" . Retrieved 23 July 2016.
15. "CSM Poli Iaşi nu-i va prelungi contractul preşedintelui Florin Prunea". ProSport . 2 June 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
16. "Cu cine a semnat CSM Politehnica Iaşi". Fanatik . 17 July 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
17. "CSM Poli Iaşi şi-a prezentat lotul". ProSport . 12 June 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
18. "Încă un jucător adus de Politehnica Iaşi". Digi Sport . 18 June 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
19. "Extaz la Iaşi, după calificarea lui CSM Poli în play-off-ul Ligii 1" [Enthusiasm in Iași, after CSM Poli's qualification to the Liga 1 play-off]. Digi Sport. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
20. "Ne-am recăpătat identitatea!" [We have regained our identity!]. politehnicaiasi.ro. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
21. http://stadiumromania.blogspot.it/2009/11/stadioane-liga-1-14-stadionul-emil.html Emil Alexandrescu Stadium stats
22. ""Băieţii veseli" de la Poli Iaşi au fost prezenţi la derby-ul Molodvei!" ["Băieţii veseli" from Poli Iaşi attend Moldovan derby!]. Gazeta Sporturilor . 20 September 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
23. "Un nou derby în Moldova" [A new derby in Moldova]. vremeanoua.ro. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
24. "Ploaie de goluri în derby-ul din Moldova" [Goal rain in Moldova derby]. Gazeta Sporturilor . 20 September 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
25. "Echipă" [Squad]. FC Politehnica Iași (in Romanian). Retrieved 28 September 2019.
26. "CSM Politehnica Iași" [CSM Politehnica Iași]. Liga Profesionistă de Fotbal (in Romanian). Retrieved 3 March 2020.

External links

• Official website
• FC Politehnica Iași on Facebook
• Club profile on UEFA's official website
• Club profile on LPF's official website