Champions League

In Profile: Who are FC Otelul Galati?

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 17 October 2011

For those with little knowledge on Manchester United's upcoming Champions League opponents, here is some clarity on Romanian champions FC Otelul Galati.

Manchester United jetted out this morning bound for the Romanian capital Bucharest.

However, they will not be taking on the city's most successful clubs Steaua or Dinamo; in fact their Champions League opponents will be FC Otelul Galati.

You can be forgiven for knowing very little about the Steelworkers, especially when you consider that they have only won one Romanian championship in their 47-year history and this season marks their first ever in Europe's top competition.

So, for those in the dark, Sports Mole takes a closer look at what Sir Alex Ferguson's side can expect tomorrow evening.

Location

The city of Galati, which is home to almost 300,000 people, is located in the far east of Romania, on the border with Moldova and Ukraine.

However, the club's home ground Stadium Otelu does not meet UEFA requirements with a capacity of 13,923. As a result, for each home Champions League match the club up sticks and move some 148 miles away to play in the Bucharest National Stadium.

Previous success

Formed in 1964, Galeti have featured in the Romanian top flight since 1991, although the trophy cabinet is hardly bulging. The club won the Liga 1 for the first time last season, while they also emerged victorious in the Romanian Super Cup earlier this year.

Manager and players

The club are currently managed by Romania's most-capped player, Dorinel Munteanu, who was capped on 134 occasions by the national team.

England fans may remember the 43-year-old as one of the players that scored against the Three Lions during the Euro 2000 group stages.

On the playing front, Gabriel Paraschiv is seen as a cult hero by the Galati faithful. Rumour has it that the attacking midfielder recently approached the chairman and asked for a 30% wage cut, insisting that his performances for the team had not been good enough.

Chances?

If there current form is anything to go by, United should be returning to English shores with all three points. Galati have lost their opening Champions League fixtures against FC Basel and Benfica, while they are ninth in their domestic league.