Zdenek Senkerik put Slavia in front early in the first half but Dorin Goian equalised for the Romanians after 33 minutes.

Tuani Belaid restored the lead after 63 minutes and the hosts held on for three points from this Group H fixture.

Gheorghe Hagi's side have endured a stuttering start to their domestic Liga 1 campaign and currently sit seventh in the standings after scoring just four goals in six games.

That lack of enterprise continued and they managed few clear-cut chances to trouble Slavia goalkeeper Martin Vaniak in the early stages.

Slavia were making their debut in the Champions League proper following qualifying victories over Slovakia's MSK Zilina and four-time champions Ajax.

But Steaua, the 1986 European Champions, started the better.

Defender Goian missed the target following a Nicolae Dica corner before Victoras Iacob had a shot blocked.

But Slavia took the lead against the run of play in the 14th minute after Goian had been cautioned for a foul.

Stanislav Vlcek controlled a long ball forward before shooting only to see his effort saved by Steaua goalkeeper Robinson Zapata.

However, Senkerik was first to react and turned in the rebound.

Steaua eagerly tried to find an equaliser and Dica and Iacob were ruled offside before Dica shot wide.

Florin Lovin was shown a yellow card for a foul before Daniel Pudil forced Zapata to save from a free-kick after 28 minutes.

Steaua equalised when Banel Nicolita's outswinging corner was met by Goian at the far post, and the defender, who scored twice in qualifying for the group stages, converted with a powerful header beyond Martin Vaniak.

Iacob had a shot blocked before Erich Brabec withdrew from the action two minutes before the interval to be replaced by Petr Janda.

The hosts made a second change at the break when David Hubacek replaced Martin Latka.

Vlcek, who scored twice in the second leg victory against Ajax, forced Zapata to save five minutes into the second half as the hosts attempted to regain the lead.

And they went ahead once more to send the home crowd into delirium when Belaid turned in Frantisek Drizd'al's left-wing cross, firing in a left-foot shot from 12 yards.

Vlcek shot wide as he tried to establish a two-goal margin for the hosts before Goian fired a speculative long-range effort over the bar.

Ladislav Volesak saw his 25-yard free-kick saved after Goian had fouled Janda before Volesak shot wide in stoppage time as Slavia held on to win and go level at the top of the table with Arsenal, who defeated Sevilla 3-0.