Octavian Chihaia, interim at Rapid after the departure of Marius Șumudică, held the press conference before the match with U Cluj, who will be played tomorrow, from 18:00, in the last round of the play-off.
Octavian hopes quickly will get a good result in Cluj and will end the season in a positive note, despite the weak matches made in the play-off. Asked if Cristi Săpunaru will play in Cluj, Chihaia replied: “I do not know how to tell you exactly about Săpunaru, I will have a discussion with him. It was his last match on Giulești, I will talk to him and I will see if he was his last official match.”.
Also Chihaia believes that the variant of Daniel Pancu's installation is a very good one: “Daniel Pancu seems to me a very good variant, I know him, he is a personality trainer. He is on the national team, he has led the Rapid. He is a pure blood, knows the DNA of this club. It seems to me a valid solution.”.
The interim says he did not speak with a shydish after his departure.
Octavian Chihaia, before U Cluj – Rapid: “This was the message I transmitted”
Octavian Chihaia, the interim coach from Rapid
“I am glad that I am here, in front of you. A stake championship game. Important for rapid breath, for our image. We have every interest in giving the best on the field to remedy a bit of what happened in the last stage. We are confident, we prepared well in the two days when we were with the boys.
We felt a good vibe, find involvement in training and hope to get the 3 points. As it is football nowadays, with a very short vacation period, I tried to tell them that the holiday will not be more than 10-12 days. Over 12 days they will come here, they will also represent the Rapid. In my opinion, I am a group of boys who deserve more than the position they are today.
It is a lot of players who can be beaten at the championship, this was the message I transmitted. They are professional players, they are players who are treated very well by all, it is their job. There are no special things, I did not find an annoying state. Sure, disappoint why it happened at the last game. I did not talk to Marius Șumudică after leaving, ”Chihaia told the press conference.
What I found in the training showed nothing negative. That's why we trust and let him go. There are a number of injured, but the rapid lot is large, and who is apt will be part of the lot. Those who will start the game must give everything on the field.
I do not know if I was necessarily surprised that I was chosen, it is a situation that happens often in football, a short interim, until another solution is found. Further, I don't think it's a time to talk about myself now. Important is the team, the club is important, the fans are important, which expect a lot about this team.
– Octavian Chihaia, quick interim
