Universitatea Craiova has secured its place in the quarterfinals of the Romanian Cup by defeating the reigning champions, FCSB, 2-0 at the Arena Națională on December 18, 2024. This loss marks the end of FCSB's run, as they were eliminated from the competition based on the direct match rule after finishing on equal points with Craiova.
The match was tense and showcased the competitive spirit of both teams. Carlos Mora opened the scoring just before halftime, converting from close range after Zajkov's header set him up beautifully. This performance was the start of Craiova's resurgence after their shaky start to the Cup, having previously lost 1-0 to Metalul Buzău. Following the first goal, FCSB pressed hard but struggled to break down the organized Craiova defense. They missed several key chances, most regrettably when Marius Ștefănescu shot over the bar from inside the area.
The second half saw Alex Mitriță seal the victory for Craiova, scoring from a direct free-kick opportunity. His late strike was the culmination of Craiova's solid performance, and it sent the small but vocal traveling fan base from Oltenia wild with joy.
“Important e că am avut atitudine și că ne-am calificat, ăsta era obiectivul în seara asta,” said Mitriță, expressing satisfaction with the team’s determination as they now move forward to the next stage of the Cup.
On the other side, FCSB's owner Gigi Becali reflected on the match with disappointment. He expressed his indifference toward the Cup, saying, “Sunt așa de afectat... nici nu mai am poftă de mâncare acum. Trebuia să batem ca să ne calificăm.” He indicated his focus would remain solely on the league and the grand ambitions of making it to the Champions League, deeming the Cup not as high of priority as possible success domestically.
Becali's frustration was palpable, especially after seeing his team’s lack of finishing against the backdrop of their titleholder status. The team had previously brushed aside competitors like Dinamo and Agricola Borcea but faltered when it mattered most. Craig's insistence on fielding substitutes only fueled skepticism about their Cup ambitions.
Craiova's coach, Costel Gâlcă, praised his team’s resilience and performance after the match. He highlighted the importance of the victory, noting, "Au demonstrat că au un lot foarte valoros.” His words reflect the newfound confidence within the Craiova squad as they head toward the next phases of the competition.
Gâlcă did, nonetheless, hint at the need for reinforcements, particularly noting they require “un astfel de jucător”—a player with distinct qualities to diversify their attacking options. This signals potential movements during the upcoming transfer window and establishes expectations for continued improvement.
On the other hand, Siyabonga Ngezana, persevering through some personal turmoil with criticism affecting his morale, commented on his experience during this tumultuous period. He stated, "A fost o neînțelegere,” addressing the doubts circulating surrounding his commitment and fitness levels.
This match not only signifies the elimination of FCSB but also marks the momentum shift for Craiova, who can now build on this success moving forward. They finished the group stages placed second, trailing only behind the unexpected leaders, Metalul Buzău, who finished top without conceding any goals.
With FCSB being rooted out of the Romanian Cup, the football community is eager to see how both teams will adapt and realign their strategies heading toward the second half of the season. The confrontation on December 18 left lasting impressions, but it also lays the groundwork for intense anticipation around the following domestic matches.
