Monumental blunder in the opening of the 14th stage of the Superliga » He dropped the ball from his hands and was replaced at half-time
Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Friday, October 24, 2025 6:12 p.m. / Updated Friday, October 24, 2025 6:43 p.m.
The “Yellow Wolves” were in the lead after Chică-Ro;ă opened the scoring in the 13th minute, from a penalty kick, but the hosts restored equality in the 41st minute, through Marton Eppel, who took advantage of Bălbarău's incredible blunder.
The goalkeeper of Ploiești lost the ball after trying to hold the cross sent by Anderson Ceara, and the Hungarian striker fulfilled a formality, pushing the ball into the goal.
At halftime, Eugen Neagoe decided to remove Bălbarău, who was replaced by the Austrian Stefan Krell.
VIDEO WITH PHASE. Raul Bălbărău, the author of a monumental blunder in Csikszereda – Petrolul
In the 41st minute, Anderson Ceara made a foray down the right flank and broke into the box, sending a cross in front of the goal.
Bălbarău intervened and seemed to have retained the ball, but the Petrol goalkeeper dropped the ball from his hands, and Marton Eppel took advantage and pushed the ball into the goal, thus establishing the score of the first half, 1-1.
Tommi Jyry missed with an empty net in front of him
Earlier, Tommi Jyry missed a huge opportunity in the 22nd minute of the match. The Finn had the chance to double the guests' advantage, after an ideal pass served by Chică-Roşa in front of the goal, but the Finn incredibly missed the goal from only 5 meters.
In the previous two stages, Bălbarău closed Petrol's gate in the victories against CFR Cluj and FC Argeș, both ended with a score of 1-0.
Before this match, both teams were tied on points, 12, and occupied 13th and 14th places, with Petrol having the advantage on goal difference, -5, as opposed to -9.
Petrolul started the stage with the weakest attack in the Superliga, with only 9 goals scored in 13 matches, and thanks to the goal scored by Chică-Roșă, Eugen Neagoe's team equaled Hermannstadt in terms of goals scored. The Sibians will travel to the leader FC Botoșani in this stage.
Superliga standings
