The much-anticipated clash between SC Oțelul Galați and FCSB unfolded on February 8, 2026, lighting up the 26th round of Romania’s Superliga with drama, skill, and a packed house at Stadionul Oțelul. With both teams entering the evening locked on 37 points and positioned 9th and 10th in the table, the stakes couldn’t have been higher—especially with the coveted playoff spots on the horizon. The buzz was palpable long before kickoff, with ticket offices nearly selling out just hours before the match began, leaving only a handful of seats for latecomers.
Access gates swung open at 18:00, and fans—advised to claim their seats at least an hour before the whistle—streamed into the stadium with anticipation. Security was tight, with entry allowed strictly via ticket or season pass, and special rules in place for visiting FCSB supporters, who were directed exclusively to the Peluza Sud sector. Inside, beverages were limited to water and soft drinks from designated stands, and any hint of disorder or contraband was swiftly addressed by vigilant staff and video surveillance, all in line with Law 4/2008 to ensure a safe, vibrant football atmosphere.
As the clock struck 20:00, the two teams took to the field under the watchful eye of referee Marcel Bîrsan and his officiating crew, including VAR support—a sign of just how crucial this fixture was. Oțelul lined up with Dur Bozoancă in goal, backed by defenders Zhelev, Zivulic, C. Lopes, and Conrado. The midfield featured Paz, Lameira, and Pedro Nuno, while Bană, Debeljuh, and Miguel Pinto led the attack. On the opposite side, FCSB’s starting eleven included M. Popa in goal, a backline of Pantea, Duarte, Dawa, and Radunovic, midfielders Lixandru and Alhassan, and an attacking trio of Miculescu, F. Tănase, Olaru, and leading the line, Bîrligea. The tactical battle pitted Oțelul’s Laszlo Balint against FCSB’s Elias Charalambous, both coaches fully aware that every point mattered at this stage.
The hosts, Oțelul, wasted no time setting the tone. In the 25th minute, after a fierce physical duel won by Debeljuh, the ball broke to Zhelev, who kept his composure and slotted a low shot past Popa from inside the six-yard box, sending the home fans into raptures. The early lead was a reward for Oțelul’s sharpness and aggression, but FCSB responded with the poise of champions. Just six minutes later, Tănase capitalized on a midfield error, quickly feeding Bîrligea, who raced clear and finished coolly to level the score at 1-1. The momentum was shifting, and the visitors seized their opportunity.
FCSB continued to press, and in the 43rd minute, they struck again. Tănase delivered a pinpoint corner from the right, and Bîrligea, ever the predator, rose above the defense to head home, taking advantage of a misjudged outing by Bozoancă. The goal put FCSB ahead 2-1 just before the halftime whistle, which sounded after three additional minutes of added time. Oțelul’s task became even more daunting as the break arrived, but the home side refused to go quietly.
Halftime saw both managers shuffle their decks. FCSB introduced Joao Paulo—recently signed from Oțelul—and Crețu in place of Alhassan and Pantea, aiming to consolidate their advantage. Oțelul, meanwhile, had already been forced into an early change when Pedro Nuno was injured in the 17th minute, replaced by Andrei Ciobanu. The second half resumed with the same intensity, but the hosts’ hopes suffered a major blow in the 54th minute when Zivulic received a straight red card following a VAR review for a foul on Bîrligea. Down to ten men, Oțelul faced an uphill battle against a FCSB side brimming with confidence.
FCSB wasted little time exploiting their numerical superiority. In the 66th minute, Tănase whipped in a cross from the right, finding captain Darius Olaru unmarked in the penalty area. Olaru made no mistake, steering the ball past Bozoancă to make it 3-1 and all but seal the points for the visitors. Oțelul responded with a flurry of substitutions—Chira and Patrick entering for Andrezinho and Paz in the 58th minute, and Kazu replacing Debeljuh at 75 minutes—but the deficit proved insurmountable.
The match was peppered with moments of individual brilliance and collective grit. FCSB’s early dominance saw Bozoancă called into action repeatedly, denying Bîrligea and Olaru with smart saves. Oțelul, for their part, nearly doubled their lead in the first half through Debeljuh, but the ball trickled agonizingly wide. The hosts’ defensive resolve was tested time and again, especially after going a man down, but they fought valiantly to keep the scoreline respectable.
Coaches’ post-match comments reflected the tension and ambition on both sides. Laszlo Balint, Oțelul’s manager, had set the tone in his pre-match press conference, stating, “We want to be as good as we can be. We know the importance of the points at stake, the quality of the opponent. We want victory, because any other result greatly diminishes our chances to remain in the playoff race. The calculations show FCSB as favorites, but we want to dismantle that, just as we did in the autumn against big teams.” FCSB’s Elias Charalambous, meanwhile, emphasized the relentless nature of the run-in: “From now on, every match is like a final for us. We have to try to win again, to have more chances to climb the standings. Now with Galați, then in the Cup, and next Sunday another final with Craiova. These are all matches we must win.”
Historically, the fixture has been fiercely contested. Oțelul’s last home league victory over FCSB dated back to September 26, 2010—a fact not lost on the home faithful. Since Oțelul’s return to the top flight in 2023, the teams had met five times, with FCSB holding the edge with three wins to Oțelul’s two (both away). Oțelul’s home form this season had been solid, boasting seven wins, three draws, and only two losses prior to this match, while FCSB had managed four wins and four draws in twelve away games—a testament to their resilience on the road.
As the final whistle blew, FCSB’s 3-1 victory propelled them up the Superliga table, keeping their playoff ambitions alive and well. Oțelul, despite a spirited display and a raucous home crowd, were left to rue missed chances and a costly red card. With the playoff race heating up and only a handful of matches remaining, both sides know that every point, every tackle, and every goal could make all the difference in the weeks ahead.