Rangers’ upcoming Europa League opponents, Steaua Bucharest, have faced a major setback as their Romanian international player, Mihai Lixandru, has been sidelined for up to a year due to a serious knee injury. This news comes just before their match against Philippe Clement’s team at Ibrox later this month.
The 23-year-old midfielder sustained the injury during a recent game against PAOK in the Europa League, leaving Steaua without one of their key players for an extended period. Gica Becali, the club’s owner and president, expressed the severity of the situation but tried to alleviate the blow by increasing Lixandru’s salary as a gesture of support.
Becali mentioned, “It was a very scary injury Mihai received. We initially thought he might recover in six months, but the reality is that he could be out for a year as it takes time to regain full match fitness. I spoke to him after the injury to offer encouragement, and the first thing I did was raise his salary by £5,000. It’s a small consolation for such a terrible injury.”
This unfortunate news adds an element of uncertainty to Steaua Bucharest’s lineup and strategy as they prepare to face Rangers in the Europa League. The absence of Lixandru, a talented and influential player, will undoubtedly impact the team’s performance and dynamics on the field.
Injuries are an inherent risk in the world of professional sports, often disrupting the plans and aspirations of both players and teams. Steaua Bucharest will now need to regroup and adapt in the absence of Lixandru, finding alternative strategies and solutions to compensate for his absence.
As Rangers gear up to face Steaua Bucharest in their upcoming Europa League match, the Scottish club may look to capitalize on their opponent’s injury setback. The absence of a key player like Lixandru could potentially create opportunities for Rangers to exploit weaknesses in Steaua’s lineup and secure a favorable outcome in the game.
In the competitive realm of European football, unforeseen challenges like injuries can significantly impact the course of a team’s season. Steaua Bucharest’s loss of Mihai Lixandru serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport and the resilience required to overcome such obstacles. As the two teams prepare to clash on the field, the outcome of the match remains uncertain, with both sides facing unique challenges and opportunities in their pursuit of victory.