I changed my mind at the last moment before free kick
After a home draw, Slavia managed to win 2-0 away – the same result as against Leicester – and qualified for the quarter-finals. “It feels amazing. For us this was the hardest game so far in this season. We came here to play a team which was unbeaten for a long time, and we did it for the first time [in the Europa League]. It feels really good, I am glad we went through to the quarter-finals.”
Slavia reached the Quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League again after the Red-whites did so in 2018/19 season. However, Stanciu joined the club a year later. “I was there once with Anderlecht, unfortunately, we couldn’t reach the semi-finals. I hope, this year with Slavia we can go further.”
Stanciu scored a beautiful curler from the free kick. “I changed mi mind at the last moment. I spoke to Provi [Lukáš Provod] shortly before the free kick and he told me to shoot on the goalkeeper’s side, that probably he had seen our last games. I wanted to do it, but I saw him standing there, in the far corner, and I thought this was the opportunity to shoot normally over the wall. I am glad it went in.”
Nico scored in both legs, will he chase goalkeeper McGregor in his dreams? “I don’t think so. Personally, I have a lot of respect for Rangers, for this team and for the goalkeeper. He is great and makes unbelievable saves. I don’t think I’ll be in his dreams. I just try to help the team.”
