Rapid Bucharest is gearing up for the new football season with a focused training camp scheduled to take place in Dubai, where the team plans to play three friendly matches against strong Asian competitors. This opportunity for refinement and strategy development aims to boost the squad’s performance as they head toward the competitive fixtures of 2025.
The team, under the guidance of coach Marius Șumudică, will kick off its preparations by reuniting on January 5, 2025, at Baza Constructorul for their first training session of the year. Just one day later, on January 6, they will depart for Dubai, marking the beginning of their 10-day training regime.
During this camp, the squad will face various competitive teams. On January 9, they will encounter a local team from the United Arab Emirates, which will serve as their first test of the trip. Following this initial match, the highlight encounters will be held against two champions from Asia: Ulsan HD of South Korea and Shanghai Port from China. These matches, scheduled for January 14 and 15 respectively, promise to be challenging for the giuleștenii, as both of their opponents are well-acclaimed teams from their leagues.
Currently sitting at 8th position within the Superliga, Rapid is aiming to use this Dubai camp to recharge and refine their tactics against difficult adversaries. According to reports, facing such strong competitors is viewed as key to honing the team’s competitive edge for the upcoming matches.
The camp is not only about these friendlies but is also preparation for their season’s official start. Upon returning home to Romania on January 16, Rapid will have just four days of preparation before their first official match of 2025 against Poli Iași, set for January 20. The club also recently progressed to the quarterfinals of the Romanian Cup and will compete against Metalul Buzău.
With ambitions to climb the rankings and secure victories, this winter camp is seen as pivotal for the players to build synergy and engage strategically. While coming off the previous season with high hopes, the matches planned against teams like Ulsan HD and Shanghai Port will hopefully serve as benchmarks for Rapid as they bolster their efforts under the leadership of Marius Șumudică.
Meanwhile, the club continues to contemplate potential acquisitions to strengthen their squad. Reports suggest interest in nigerian player, David Ankeye, who has been linked back to the club following his stint with Genoa. Such moves are impressive for Rapid, signaling their ambition not only to train rigorously but also to expand strategically their roster as they aim for success.
With the preparation camp firmly on the horizon, both players and management alike are focused on making the most of their time abroad. Rapid Bucharest is determined to not only refine their skills and tactics but also begin the year demonstrating clear intentions on the field and assert their presence strongly as the 2025 football season approaches.