# 2014–15 FC Petrolul Ploiești season

The 2014–15 season is Petrolul Ploiești's 85th season in the Romanian football league system, and their fourth consecutive season in the Liga I. Petrolul came third in the 2013–14 Liga I, earning a place in the UEFA Europa League second qualifying round.

## Month by month review
### June

Petrolul signed a one-year kit deal with American sportswear company Nike, after the association with Puma came to an end. Also, Acıbadem Healthcare Group became the team's medical sponsor until the end of the season, with an extension option being available. Gevaro Nepomuceno, Patrick N'Koyi, George Mareș, Jean-Alain Fanchone, Alberto Cobrea, Mirel Bolboașă, Andrei Peteleu and Mourad Satli were transferred to Petrolul. Roberto Alecsandru and Alexandru Radu were also promoted from the academy.

### July

On 7 July, Petrolul announced that they had signed winger Victoraș Astafei on a free transfer. On 20 July, using many players that would normally be substitutes and having a player sent off in the second half, Petrolul was beaten by Universitatea Cluj in the Cupa Ligii (English: League Cup) round of 16, a competition which was reenacted after fourteen years of pause. In Europa League, "The Yellow Wolves" eliminated Flamurtari Vlorë 5–1 on aggregate. On 27 July, Petrolul confirmed on its official website that Opel will continue being the shirt sponsor until the end of the season.
Position at the end of July :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 6 | Petrolul Ploiești | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |

### August

Petrolul had bad luck at the Europa League third qualifying round draw, confronting Czech side Viktoria Plzeň, a club which in the previous season took part in the Champions League group stage. After a draw at Ploiești (1–1), "The Yellow Wolves" impressively beat Viktoria scoring four goals and conceding only one. The Romanian side's captain, 35-year-old Adrian Mutu, played a big role in his team's qualification, scoring both home and away. However, losing both of the play-off legs against Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia, Petrolul yet again missed the chance of advancing to the group stage.
Position at the end of August :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 3 | Petrolul Ploiești | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 4 | +9 | 13 | 2015–16 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round |

### September

On 3 September, Uruguayan footballers Rodrigo Pastorini and Sebastián Gallegos joined Petrolul's squad. One week later, Ovidiu Hoban was transferred to Israeli club Hapoel Be'er Sheva. He was Petrolul's only Romanian player called by the national team for a match against Greece, which was played on 7 September. Ioan Filip signed with Petrolul to replace Hoban. On 16 September, Răzvan Lucescu was sacked. Gheorghe Mulțescu, who coached Petrolul twice in the past, took his place one day later. On the same day, "The Yellow Wolves" transferred Kristijan Ipša, a Croatian central defender. Mulțescu made his début against rivals Steaua București, on the 21st. Israeli international striker Toto Tamuz scored a double, but unfortunately, Petrolul lost the match 2–3. After many rumours, Adrian Mutu eventually broke his contract with "The Oilmen", on the 26th. He was the best paid footballer, and was often criticised for playing bad. Cosmin Contra, Petrolul's coach from October 2012 to March 2014, said that the signings of Adrian Mutu and Ianis Zicu (both joined in January 2014) were a "failure".
Position at the end of September :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 5 | Petrolul Ploiești | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 19 | 9 | +10 | 17 |

### October

On 16 October, Shai Haddad signed a one-year contract with Petrolul, on Toto Tamuz's recommendation.
Position at the end of October :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 3 | Petrolul Ploiești | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 9 | +13 | 24 | 2015–16 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round |

### November

On 25 November, president Daniel Capră, general director Marius Bucuroiu and five other persons faced preventive detention for 24 hours, being suspected of tax evasion and money laundering. The loss would amount to 15.4 million euros. The press suggested that these criminal matters could cause serious financial problems for Petrolul and important players might want to leave the club.
Position at the end of November :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 3 | Petrolul Ploiești | 15 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 27 | 9 | +18 | 31 | 2015–16 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round |

### December

Petrolul had the chance to finish the year on the second place of Liga I, but drawn at home against Concordia Chiajna, subsequently keeping the third place.
Position at the end of December :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 3 | Petrolul Ploiești | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 29 | 11 | +18 | 33 | 2015–16 UEFA Europa League First qualifying round |

### January

On 10 January 2015, ex-Standard Liège coach Mircea Rednic replaced Gheorghe Mulțescu on the bench. During the winter transfer window, five footballers left Petrolul, including important ones like Juan Albín and Soni Mustivar.

### February

At the beginning of February, due to president Capră still being under detention, the club faced financial problems and entered insolvency, meaning that the participation in UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League is denied. However, among others, Mircea Rednic convinced 31-year-old striker Mohamed Tchité, who spent most of his professional career in Belgium, with Standard Liége, Anderlecht and Club Brugge, and in Spain with Racing de Santander, to be part of the team until the end of the season at the least.
Position at the end of February :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 2 | Petrolul Ploiești | 19 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 30 | 11 | +19 | 39 | Became insolvent, is not eligible to play in European cups |

### March

Mohamed Tchité made his début on 5 March in the first leg of the Romanian Cup semi-final against rivals Steaua București, scoring his team's only goal in a 1–1 draw.
Position at the end of March :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 3 | Petrolul Ploiești | 23 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 34 | 16 | +18 | 43 | Became insolvent, is not eligible to play in European cups |

### April

On 3 April, Petrolul missed the qualification to the Cupa României final for the second year in a row, losing the semi-final second leg against Steaua at Arena Națională. However, only a week later, "The Yellow Wolves" defeated them in the championship, after more than 15 years. Curaçaoan winger Gevaro Nepomuceno netted the only goal of the match.
Position at the end of April :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 3 | Petrolul Ploiești | 29 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 38 | 22 | +16 | 48 | Became insolvent, is not eligible to play in European cups |

### May

On 5 May, it was announced that manager Mircea Rednic left "The Yellow-Blues". Assistant coach Valentin Sinescu continued as the caretaker of the team. Eventually, Petrolul finished the season on a disappointing place six.
Position at the end of May :
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 6 | Petrolul Ploiești | 34 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 42 | 30 | +12 | 52 | Became insolvent, is not eligible to play in European cups |

## Players
### First team squad

    At the end of the season.
| No. | Name | Position(s) | Since | Date of Birth (Age) | Signed from | Games | Goals | Fee | Contract End |
| Goalkeepers |||||||||||
| 1 | Peterson Peçanha | GK | 2013 | (1980-01-11) 11 January 1980 (age 44) | Rapid București | 64 | 0 | Free | 2015 |
| 12 | Alberto Cobrea | GK | 2014 | (1990-11-01) 1 November 1990 (age 33) | Concordia Chiajna | 3 | 0 | Free | 2018 |
| 33 | Mirel Bolboașă | GK | 2014 | (1992-07-11) 11 July 1992 (age 32) | Viitorul Constanța (on loan) | 0 | 0 | Undisclosed | 2015 |
| 95 | Iuliu Oprea | GK | 2014 | (1995-07-02) 2 July 1995 (age 29) | Petrolul Academy | 0 | 0 | -/- | Undisclosed |
| Defenders |||||||||||
| 2 | Jean Sony Alcénat | RB | 2012 | (1986-01-23) 23 January 1986 (age 38) | Rio Ave | 74 | 2 | Undisclosed | 2015 |
| 5 | Dean Beța | RB / LB | 2013 | (1991-05-11) 11 May 1991 (age 33) | Sportul Studențesc | 9 | 0 | Free | 2016 |
| 8 | Mourad Satli | CB / LB / RB | 2014 | (1990-01-29) 29 January 1990 (age 34) | Charleroi | 25 | 0 | Free | 2017 |
| 35 | Marian Marin | RB | 2015 | (1987-09-11) 11 September 1987 (age 37) | Fortuna Poiana Câmpina | 3 | 0 | Free | 2015 |
| 39 | Jean-Alain Fanchone | LB | 2014 | (1988-09-22) 22 September 1988 (age 36) | Udinese Calcio | 16 | 0 | Undisclosed | 2017 |
| 40 | Roberto Alecsandru | CB | 2014 | (1996-09-13) 13 September 1996 (age 28) | Petrolul Academy | 1 | 0 | -/- | Undisclosed |
| 77 | Andrei Peteleu | RB | 2014 | (1992-08-20) 20 August 1992 (age 32) | Săgeata Năvodari | 16 | 0 | Free | 2017 |
| 86 | Kristijan Ipša | CB / RB | 2014 | (1986-04-04) 4 April 1986 (age 38) | Reggina Calcio | 21 | 1 | Free | 2015 |
| Midfielders |||||||||||
| 4 | Ioan Filip | DM | 2014 | (1989-05-20) 20 May 1989 (age 35) | Oțelul Galați | 24 | 0 | Free | 2015 |
| 5 | Ciprian Vasilache | AM / RW / LW | 2015 | (1983-09-14) 14 September 1983 (age 41) | Gangwon FC | 8 | 1 | Free | 2015 |
| 7 | Gevaro Nepomuceno | LW / RW | 2014 | (1992-11-10) 10 November 1992 (age 31) | Fortuna Sittard | 25 | 1 | Free | 2017 |
| 11 | Rok Kronaveter | CM / AM | 2015 | (1986-12-07) 7 December 1986 (age 37) | Győri ETO | 11 | 2 | Free | 2015 |
| 13 | Sebastián Gallegos | AM / RW / LW | 2014 | (1992-01-18) 18 January 1992 (age 32) | Calcio Como | 2 | 0 | Free | 2015 |
| 20 | Alexandru Coman | DM / CM | 2015 | (1991-10-16) 16 October 1991 (age 33) | Rapid București | 7 | 0 | Free | 2015 |
| 21 | Victoraș Astafei | RW / LW / CF | 2014 | (1987-07-06) 6 July 1987 (age 37) | Oțelul Galați | 29 | 5 | Free | 2017 |
| 30 | Laurențiu Marinescu | DM / AM | 2012 | (1984-08-25) 25 August 1984 (age 40) | Universitatea Cluj | 53 | 3 | Undisclosed | 2016 |
| 91 | Pablo de Lucas | DM / CM / AM | 2013 | (1986-09-20) 20 September 1986 (age 38) | Salamanca | 52 | 2 | Free | 2016 |
| 93 | Alexandru Chiriță | AM / RW | 2014 | (1996-06-24) 24 June 1996 (age 28) | Dinamo București II | 1 | 0 | Free | Undisclosed |
| Forwards |||||||||||
| 9 | Patrick N'Koyi | CF | 2014 | (1990-01-01) 1 January 1990 (age 34) | Fortuna Sittard | 17 | 1 | Free | 2017 |
| 10 | Mohamed Tchité | CF / RW | 2015 | (1984-01-31) 31 January 1984 (age 40) | Club Brugge | 11 | 0 | Free | 2015 |
| 18 | George Mareș | CF | 2014 | (1996-05-16) 16 May 1996 (age 28) | Sportul Studențesc | 6 | 0 | Free | 2018 |
| 23 | Rodrigo Pastorini | CF / AM | 2014 | (1990-03-04) 4 March 1990 (age 34) | Montevideo Wanderers | 16 | 0 | Free | 2016 |
| 29 | Alexandru Radu | CF | 2014 | (1997-05-09) 9 May 1997 (age 27) | Petrolul Academy | 1 | 0 | -/- | Undisclosed |
| 99 | Toto Tamuz | CF | 2014 | (1988-04-01) 1 April 1988 (age 36) | Ural Sverdlovsk Oblast | 36 | 14 | Free | 2016 |

### Transfers
#### In

| No. | Pos. | Name | Age | EU | Moving from | Type | Transfer window | Ends | Transfer fee | Source |
| — | FW | Mihai Roman | 22 | EU | Săgeata Năvodari | Loan return | Summer | 2014 | Free | |
| 7 | FW | Gevaro Nepomuceno | 21 | EU | Fortuna Sittard | Transfer | Summer | 2017 | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 9 | FW | Patrick N'Koyi | 24 | EU | Fortuna Sittard | Transfer | Summer | 2017 | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 18 | FW | George Mareș | 18 | EU | Sportul Studențesc | Transfer | Summer | 2018 | Undisclosed | |
| 39 | DF | Jean-Alain Fanchone | 25 | EU | Udinese | Transfer | Summer | 2017 | Undisclosed | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 12 | GK | Alberto Cobrea | 23 | EU | Concordia Chiajna | Transfer | Summer | 2018 | Undisclosed | ProSport |
| 33 | GK | Mirel Bolboașă | 25 | EU | Viitorul | Loan transfer | Summer | 2015 | Undisclosed | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 77 | DF | Andrei Peteleu | 21 | EU | Săgeata Năvodari | Transfer | Summer | 2017 | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 8 | DF | Mourad Satli | 24 | EU | Charleroi | Transfer | Summer | 2017 | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 21 | MF | Victoraș Astafei | 27 | EU | Oțelul Galați | Transfer | Summer | 2017 | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 14 | DF | Roberto Alecsandru | 17 | EU | Youth system | Promoted | Summer | Undisclosed | Free | |
| 17 | DF | Alexandru Radu | 17 | EU | Youth system | Promoted | Summer | Undisclosed | Free | |
| 23 | FW | Rodrigo Pastorini | 24 | EU | Montevideo Wanderers | Transfer | Summer | 2016 | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 13 | AM | Sebastián Gallegos | 22 | EU | Calcio Como | Transfer | Summer | 2015 | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 4 | MF | Ioan Filip | 25 | EU | Oțelul Galați | Transfer | Summer | 2015 | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 86 | DF | Kristijan Ipša | 28 | EU | Reggina Calcio | Transfer | Summer | 2015 | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 93 | MF | Alexandru Chiriță | 18 | EU | Dinamo București II | Transfer | Summer | Undisclosed | Undisclosed | |
| 15 | DF | Shai Haddad | 27 | Non-EU | Beitar Jerusalem | Transfer | Summer | 2015 | Free | |
| 5 | MF | Ciprian Vasilache | 31 | EU | Gangwon FC | Transfer | Winter | 2015 | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 20 | MF | Alexandru Coman | 23 | EU | Rapid București | Transfer | Winter | 2015 | Free | Dolce Sport |
| 10 | FW | Mohammed Tchité | 31 | EU | Club Brugge | Transfer | Winter | 2015 | Free | La Derniere Heure |
| 11 | MF | Rok Kronaveter | 28 | EU | Győri ETO | Transfer | Winter | 2015 | Free | |
| 35 | DF | Marian Marin | 28 | EU | Fortuna Poiana Câmpina | Transfer | Winter | 2015 | Free | |

#### Out

| N | Pos. | Name | Age | EU | Moving to | Type | Transfer window | Transfer fee | Source |
| — | FW | Mihai Roman | 22 | EU | Pandurii Târgu Jiu | End of contract | Summer | Free | |
| 32 | DF | Sebastian Achim | 28 | EU | CS U Craiova | End of contract | Summer | Free | |
| 4 | DF | Manassé Enza-Yamissi | 24 | EU | Gil Vicente | End of contract | Summer | Free | |
| 23 | GK | Mircea Bornescu | 34 | EU | Rapid București | End of contract | Summer | Free | |
| 21 | DF | Guilherme Sityá | 24 | Non-EU | Greuther Fürth | End of contract | Summer | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 16 | FW | Abel Camará | 24 | EU | Belenenses | End of loan | Summer | Free | |
| 7 | MF | Walter Fernández | 24 | EU | Lokeren | End of loan | Summer | Free | |
| 22 | GK | Povilas Valinčius | 25 | EU | Free agent | Mutual termination | Summer | Free | |
| 27 | MF | Ianis Zicu | 30 | EU | ASA Târgu Mureș | Mutual termination | Summer | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 93 | FW | Vlad Morar | 21 | EU | Universitatea Cluj | Mutual termination | Summer | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 52 | MF | Romário Pires | 25 | Non-EU | Karpaty Lviv | Mutual termination | Summer | Free | ProSport |
| 15 | MF | Ovidiu Hoban | 31 | EU | Hapoel Be'er Sheva | Transfer | Summer | Undisclosed | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 10 | FW | Adrian Mutu | 35 | EU | Free agent | Mutual termination | Summer | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 11 | MF | Juan Ángel Albín | 28 | EU | Veracruz | Transfer | Winter | Undisclosed | Deportes Televisa |
| 15 | DF | Shai Haddad | 27 | Non-EU | Free agent | Mutual termination | Winter | Free | Realitatea.net |
| 20 | MF | Njongo Priso | 26 | EU | Győri ETO | Mutual termination | Winter | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 5 | MF | Soni Mustivar | 24 | EU | Sporting Kansas City | Mutual termination | Winter | Free | FC Petrolul Ploiești |
| 35 | DF | Gerson Guimarães | 23 | EU | Lechia Gdańsk | Mutual termination | Winter | Free | |

## Competitions
### Overall

| Competition | Started round | Current position / round | Final position / round | First match | Last match |
| Liga I | — | — | 6th | 27 July 2014 | 27 May 2015 |
| Cupa României | Round of 32 | — | Semi-finals | 24 September 2014 | 2 April 2015 |
| Cupa Ligii | Round of 16 | — | Round of 16 | 20 July 2014 | 20 July 2014 |
| UEFA Europa League | Second qualifying round | — | Play-off round | 17 July 2014 | 28 August 2014 |
Updated to match played 27 May 2015 Source: Competitions

### Liga I
#### League table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
| 4 | Astra Giurgiu | 34 | 15 | 12 | 7 | 53 | 27 | +26 | 57 | Qualification for the Europa League second qualifying round |
| 5 | Universitatea Craiova (I) | 34 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 40 | 34 | +6 | 53 | Not granted a license for UEFA Competitions |
| 6 | Petrolul Ploiești (I) | 34 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 42 | 30 | +12 | 52 | Not granted a license for UEFA Competitions |
| 7 | Dinamo București (I) | 34 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 47 | 44 | +3 | 48 | Not granted a license for UEFA Competitions |
| 8 | Botoșani | 34 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 40 | 43 | −3 | 47 | Qualification for the Europa League first qualifying round |
* ↑ CFR Cluj ahead on head-to-head record; CFR Cluj–Astra Giurgiu 4–1, Astra Giurgiu–CFR Cluj 0–1
* 1 2 The Romanian Cup finalist Universitatea Cluj filed for insolvency, and the other one is Steaua București, so the European spot meant for cup winner will be filled up by the 3rd eligible team from the Liga I and the spot for the third-placed team will be given to the 4th eligible team from the Liga I.
* 1 2 3 Teams who have not been given a UEFA license (Brașov, Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț, CFR Cluj, Concordia Chiajna, Universitatea Craiova, Dinamo București, Oțelul Galați, Petrolul Ploiești, Rapid București and Universitatea Cluj) were not eligible to play in European competitions. Petrolul Ploiești, Dinamo București, Rapid București, FC Brașov, Universitatea Cluj and CFR Cluj were not eligible to play in Europe because they filed for insolvency and Universitatea Craiova was not eligible because it was affiliated in 2013.

#### Results summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |
Last updated: 27 May 2015. Source: Matches

#### Results by round

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 |
| Ground | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A |
| Result | W | W | W | D | W | L | D | L | W | W | W | D | D | W | W | D | D | W | W | L | D | L | W | L | W | L | D | D | L | D | W | L | L | L |
| Position | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 |

#### Matches

Win  Draw  Loss
Last updated: 27 May 2015

### Cupa României
#### Semi-finals

Last updated: 5 April 2015

### Cupa Ligii
#### Round of 16

Last updated: 21 July 2014

### UEFA Europa League
#### Qualifying rounds
##### Play-off round

Last updated: 29 August 2014

## Squad statistics
### Goals

Updated as of 27 May 2015.
| Rank | Player | Position | Liga I | Europa League$^1$ | Cupa României | Total |
| 1 | Toto Tamuz | CF | 11 | 3 | 0 | 14 |
| 2 | Filipe Teixeira | LW | 8 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| 3 | Juan Albín | AM | 5 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| 3 | Victoraș Astafei | RW | 5 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| 4 | Adrian Mutu | AM | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | Pablo de Lucas | DM | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 5 | Kristijan Ipša | CB | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| 6 | Geraldo Alves | CB | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 6 | G. Nepomuceno | LW | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 6 | Patrick N'Koyi | CF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 6 | Rok Kronaveter | DM | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 7 | Jean Sony Alcénat | RB | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | Shai Haddad | DM | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | Njongo Priso | RW | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | Mohamed Tchité | CF | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | Ciprian Vasilache | CM | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | Total | Total | 41 | 12 | 8 | 61 |
$^1$ Includes qualifying rounds and play-off round.

## Pre-season and friendlies

Win  Draw  Loss
Last updated: 15 February 2015