Team news

Stan staying patient Steaua Bucharest coach Ilie Stan is refusing to think about playing in the Europa League final in Bucharest next May after his side became the last Romanian team in the competition.

Steaua must overcome Dutch side FC Twente in their two-legged last-32 tie, the first match of which is Thursday night, and Stan is viewing the game as a springboard for the rest of the campaign.

"Let's not speak about playing in the final," Stan told UEFA.com. "Who wouldn't want to play at home in a major final? But let's take it step by step.

"First we have to overcome Twente, which means two crucial matches with a major impact on the short-term future of our team.

"At Steaua, as at most clubs, it is not easy to speak about the long term, so I regard the two legs versus Twente as crucial for what will come in the second half of our campaign." Steaua are currently fourth in Romania's top flight, eight points behind rivals Dynamo Bucharest, but Stan stressed that success in European competition is still his immediate concern.

"I am completely focused on these two games because they mean so much," Stan said.

"We don't need to speak too much about their strengths or weaknesses.

"Of course we have done our homework on them but the tie will be decided by the players, by their cleverness and commitment, by whether they apply what we talk about." Meanwhile, Twente midfielder Wout Brama is confident his side can get a result in what could be a club record-equalling European appearance for the 25-year-old.

If he features, Brama would match the 47 games played by Kick van der Vall and Cees van Ierssel in Twente colours - a record that has stood for more than 30 years.

The Holland international believes his side are now seen as more of a threat than when he made his European debut for the club six years ago.

"After four group matches, we were already through [this campaign]," Brama told www.voetballcentral.nl. "I was surprised how easy it was.

"The development and growth of FC Twente is easy to see in Europe.

Steaua Bucuresti vs FC Twente

Last modified 22:27 16/02/12

Ola on target in Twente win FC Twente claimed a vital 1-0 away victory thanks to Ola John's lobbed winner as Steaua Bucharest failed to make home advantage count in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 clash.

John's wonderful finish, which just crept in at the far post, was by far the highlight of an otherwise poor match that had few clear chances at either end.

But Twente boss Steve McClaren will not mind as his side left the National Arena in control of the tie.

The match started scrappily, with early fouls conceded by both teams to little avail.

It took 13 minutes for the game's first shot on goal, Raul Rusescu's 20-yard effort going wide for the hosts.

They went closer in the 21st minute, Nikolay Mihailov saving well after Leandro Tatu drifted from the left and found space to shoot from inside the area.

The half-hour mark had passed before Twente mustered an attempt of their own and even then Roberto Rosales missed the target.

As half-time got closer the game picked up a little, Eric Bicfalvi and Nacer Chadli both letting fly in quick succession and Stefan Nikolic slotting wide before the interval arrived.

Steaua boss Ilie Stan made one change at the break, Ovidiu Dananae replaced by Novak Martinovic, but it was the Dutch side who upped their game.

John drew a save from Cristian Tatarusanu from the edge of the area after 50 minutes and it was not long before he went one better.

Less than three minutes later he put his side ahead, collecting a loose defensive pass and confidently lobbing the goalkeeper from 12 yards.

John continued to lead the charge for the visitors, crossing dangerously enough for Tatarusanu to come from his line to punch clear.

Steaua's response was disappointing, consisting largely of toothless possession until Tatu shot wide again.

Mihai Costea was equally imprecise with six minutes remaining, while Twente were content to see the game out without further risks.