The matchup between CSM Politehnica Iasi and FC Universitatea Cluj offered a tight contest where Politehnica Iasi narrowly clinched a victory, with a singular goal scored shortly before the 50-minute mark. This vital goal from the home side was a significant turning point, securing them three points in the Liga 1 standings. The timing of the goal early in the second half contributed critically to their control over the game, as they maintained defensive stability thereafter.

Analyzing the discipline on the pitch, the match was notably physical, with a total of seven yellow cards issued. Universitatea Cluj's discipline issues were a recurring theme, as they received four yellow cards, particularly within the last 35 minutes. This spate of bookings for Cluj often disrupted their rhythm, possibly impacting their composure and effectiveness in building successful attacks. While Politehnica Iasi also received three yellow cards, they managed to avoid any crucial disruptions in gameplay.

From a statistical standpoint on offensive efforts, both teams struggled to establish a sustained attacking presence, with CSM Politehnica Iasi having marginally more opportunities with three corner kicks compared to FC Universitatea Cluj's single corner. This slight advantage in set-piece opportunities might have added to the pressure on Cluj's defense. Similarly, with two offsides each, neither team exhibited a clear strategy breaking through the opponent's backline, showing both sides' challenges in timing their attacking runs effectively.

The balance of fouls—17 by the home team and 13 by the away—underlined a physical midfield battle that often disrupted fluid play from either side. While Universitatea Cluj appeared to have been slightly less aggressive in their tackling, the resultant bookings dampened their effectiveness. Substitutions could potentially have offered dynamic changes, but the data provided does not detail their impact on the flow of the match.

Conclusively, CSM Politehnica Iasi's early strike in the second half, coupled with a compact defensive performance, was the defining factor in their narrow victory. Meanwhile, FC Universitatea Cluj's lack of discipline and inability to capitalize on their opportunities prevented them from salvaging a point, reflecting the marginal yet decisive differences in teamwork and focus between the two sides.

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