FCSB has been eliminated from the Romanian Cup after suffering a 0-2 defeat against Universitatea Craiova on December 18, 2024, at the Arena Națională in Bucharest. The match, which was pivotal for both clubs, saw Craiova overturn odds they were not expected to face, as they had started the game trailing FCSB by points in Group B.
Universitatea Craiova came out stronger, eager to secure their place among the last eight teams of the competition. Despite entering the match as underdogs, Craiova showed grit and determination. The opening goal came just before halftime, when Carlos Mora deftly directed Zajkov's header past FCSB goalkeeper Ștefan Târnovanu, giving the Oltenians the lead.
With FCSB needing only to draw to proceed to the knockout stages, this setback was particularly painful for them. The team had laid out its ambition early, aiming to maintain its title and assert dominance across all competitions. Coach Elias Charalambous had indicated prior to the match the importance of advancing, hoping to establish momentum for the upcoming league fixtures.
During the first half, both teams struggled to find their footing. While FCSB's players like Musi and Ștefănescu had chances, they were unable to capitalize, often misfiring or being denied by the Craiova defense. Aside from Mora’s goal, Andrei Ivan came close to scoring for Craiova, yet his attempts were thwarted by Târnovanu.
Entering the second half, the stakes were clearly set for FCSB, who had now fallen behind. Despite substitutions made by Charalambous to bolster the attack with players like Daniel Bîrligea and Olaru, the pressure from Universitatea Craiova remained unyielding. Craiova found their second goal midway through the second half as Alexandru Mitriță executed a skillful free kick, sealing the match with just minutes left on the clock.
FCSB's team finished third in Group B with 6 points, tied with Universitatea Craiova, but their elimination was due to direct confrontation results. Metalul Buzău topped the group after winning 3-0 against Agricola Borcea, leading to their qualification for the knockout round and confirming Craiova's progression.
This defeat is not just a moment of disappointment for FCSB but raises questions about the team's strategy and depth heading forward. After boasting previous successes—such as their win against Dinamo with 4-0—this outcome looks like a significant setback, with fans and analysts eager to hear from Charalambous on what went wrong.
Looking to the next stages, Universitatea Craiova aims to carry this momentum as they prepare to face higher-ranked teams, having secured their spot by targeting the remaining matches seriously. Coach Constantin Gâlcă expressed confidence post-match, stating the need for players to continue this form and build upon it for tougher challenges waiting.
The Romanian Cup continues to reveal its unpredictable nature, with Craiova’s impressive comeback serving as both inspiration and warning to other clubs. Meanwhile, FCSB must regroup, recalibrate, and commence preparations for the remainder of their season, balancing their title ambitions across the league and upcoming tournaments.
