Rapid București faced off against Gloria Buzău during the last match of the 20th round of the Romanian Superliga on December 16, 2024. The atmosphere was electric at the Superbet Arena Giulești, where both teams were desperate for points - Rapid seeking to climb closer to playoff contention and Buzău trying to escape the bottom of the table.
Rapid entered the match with pressure on their shoulders after suffering defeat against Sepsi, which halted their previous series of three wins and three draws. Currently positioned eighth in the league standings with 25 points, they needed to secure victory to stay competitive for playoff berths, particularly with Sepsi just one point above them. Buzău, on the other hand, languished at the bottom of the table, accumulating only 16 points from their 19 matches played and desperately seeking to avoid relegation.
From the first whistle, Rapid took control of the game. By the fifth minute, Aaron Boupendza had already put the home team on the scoreboard with 1-0. Boupendza, who had been under scrutiny for his previous performances, received the ball after exploiting the Buzău defense's blunder and scored with ease. Just moments later, he was brought down inside the penalty area, resulting in Rapid being awarded another shot from the spot.
"Penalty for Rapid! He was fouled inside the box!" exclaimed the commentator as the players and fans erupted with joy and tension. Boupendza stepped up to take the penalty, successfully doubling the score to 2-0 by the 21st minute. The Gabonese striker’s quick brace set the tone for the rest of the match, showcasing his skill and determination.
Meanwhile, Gloria Buzău struggled to find rhythm, with Ion Gheorghe attempting to challenge Rapid's defense but lacking support from his teammates. A powerful shot from 30 meters by Gheorghe went wide, illustrating the frustration felt by the visitors. Coach Eugen Neagoe's squad was unable to convert their chances, and they found themselves on the back foot as the match progressed.
"It’s fairly simple: we need points, and we need them now," Neagoe said during the pre-match conference, acknowledging the challenges his team faced against the more dominant Rapid. His worries were coming to fruition during the match, as Rapid’s solid formation continued to thwart any attempts from Buzău to get back on level terms.
Despite the score line, both teams displayed resilience as they pushed through the match. Rapid, led by manager Marius Șumudică, focused on maintaining control of the game. Prior to the match, Șumudică had downplayed the pressure of the situation. "For me, there's no pressure. I don't sense it from the players either. We come after a defeat, yes, but we’ve shown our capability this season. If we win today, we keep ourselves right on track," he asserted confidently.
Buzău had brought only one victory across their last four matches, winning against Poli Iași, and when push came to shove against Rapid, they fell short. With eight points separating them from safety, the prospect of relegation loomed heavily over the players and coaching staff.
Fans, numbering around 6,000, populated the stands, hoping for their team to secure three points and possibly escape the dreaded last place. "We never lost hope, but we need to convert our chances. That’s where our focus has to be," Buzău goalkeeper Greab said, clearly frustrated after the game.
The match's concluding moments saw Rapid maintaining pressure and control, effectively shutting down Gloria’s attempts to build up any sort of urgency. By the final whistle, the score remained 2-0, securing Rapid’s much-needed victory.
After the match, Marius Șumudică spoke highly of Boupendza’s performance, stating, "He’s shown he can be the leading man for this team. Scoring penalties and goals is what we count on him for, and it's great to see him delivering under pressure. This win keeps our hope alive for the playoffs. We are just one step closer."
Meanwhile, Gloria Buzău’s struggle continued as they faced growing uncertainty about their position. "Every match from now on is important. Today was not our day, but we have to regroup and come back strong,” said Neagoe. The outcome solidified Rapid’s path toward the playoff contention, igniting their ambitions for the remainder of the season as they look to reshape their future from the challenges of earlier results.
With mixed fortunes evident on the pitch, the match embodied the challenges within the Superliga, where fortunes could shift drastically week by week—a reality acutely faced by both Rapid București and Gloria Buzău as they pursued their respective goals.
