On March 16, 2025, the highly anticipated Superliga clash between FCSB and Rapid București culminated in a thrilling 3-3 draw, marking the kickoff of the play-off stage. Both teams displayed immense skill and determination, contributing to what many fans have dubbed as one of the most exciting derbies in recent memory.
The match was held at the iconic Arena Națională and witnessed 26,385 spectators, with supporters passionately cheering for their respective teams throughout the game. FCSB took the initiative early on, with Daniel Bîrligea scoring the opening goal in the 29th minute with a powerful header from Adrian Şut’s cross, showcasing the home team's aggressive start.
Rapid, determined not to fall behind, responded adeptly. Their equalizer came from Denis Ciobotariu just before half-time, scoring in the 40th minute following a well-executed corner from Claudiu Petrila. This goal not only boosted Rapid's morale but also set the stage for what was to become a dramatic second half.
After the break, Juri Cisotti reclaimed the lead for FCSB by scoring the second goal at 55 minutes, capitalizing on another assist from Bîrligea. Yet, Rapid continued to demonstrate resilience, with Alexandru Dobre equalizing at 70 minutes after being released by Tobias Christensen's counterattack, levelling the score at 2-2.
The ebb and flow of the game continued, as Rapid's Andrei Borza received his marching orders with a second yellow card during the 72nd minute, leaving his team to play with ten men. Following the dismissal, many expected FCSB to capitalize, but shockingly, it was Rapid who scored next, with Ciobotariu netting his second goal of the match at the 83rd minute to make it 3-2.
Just as it seemed the visitors had secured the win, FCSB’s Florin Tănase equalized once again during stoppage time, netting the goal off another corner taken by Radunovic, maintaining FCSB's unbeaten streak. This late goal sparked wild celebrations among FCSB fans as they secured at least one point from the match.
Rapid's coach, Marius Șumudică, expressed mixed emotions post-game. “A result which is fair, if we think about the opportunities they had. Rapid showed progress today; scoring three goals is no easy feat, especially considering we came back from behind twice,” Șumudică remarked. Yet there was frustration about not winning after having led the match, stating, “It was frustrating, especially after being 3-2 up. But it’s clear we can’t be beaten, and today showed our fighting spirit.”
Table analysis post-match revealed the stakes—FCSB remained undefeated over their last 15 matches, recording 9 wins and 6 draws this season. Meanwhile, Rapid was still searching for consistency with two draws and one loss over their last three outings, indicating the need for improvement as they pushed for play-off success.
Ioan Becali, commenting on the game, pointed out the absence of standout individual performances from both sides, leading him to ponder the significance of the encounter, “An unexpected result, considering FCSB had the numerical advantage. Both teams put up so much effort, yet no specific player emerged as exceptional,” he noted.
Overall, this match not only served as entertainment but potentially set the tone for what is to come as both teams continue their campaigns within the Superliga play-off phase. For FCSB, the tie might be seen as maintaining momentum, whereas Rapid leaves with the hope of building on their strong showing to challenge more consistently against top-tier opponents.
