Steaua boss denies ‘annihilate’ jibe came back to haunt his side

Steaua Buchurest boss Laurentiu Reghecampf denied a pre-match prediction from one of his players had come back to haunt them after their exit from the Europa League at Stamford Bridge.

Prior to the second leg, with Steaua ahead 1-0 on aggregate, defender Mihai Pintilii said his side were looking to ‘annihilate’ Chelsea, rather than sit on their lead.

But despite an impressive attacking display in the first half, the Romanian team were knocked out thanks to goals from Juan Mata, John Terry and Fernando Torres.

And Reghecampf insisted defensive lapses, not over-confidence, were to blame for their defeat.

He said: “The problem was moments within the game. At this level if you’re not 100% concentrating, the opposition score goals.

“We conceded on our set piece but John Terry took that very well.

“There were other moments – the foul on Hazard [for the free-kick for Terry’s goal] and Mata should not have been allowed to have taken the shot, but this is it at this level.

“The second goal was a very crucial moment in the game.

“We had an important moment in the 45th minute when we drew level. We had a few more chances but we didn’t score goals.

“Congratulations to Chelsea who played very well in the second half.”

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