LIVE CFR Cluj – Rapid, the derby of the 17th stage in the Superliga

With Daniel Pancu on the bench, CFR Cluj hopes to get another victory and get closer to the play-off places. Transylvania are now in 12th place, with just 16 points from 16 stages and are 7 lengths away from 6th place. On the other hand, Rapid wants to continue their excellent streak. Costel Gâlcă's students are leaders in the Superleague, with 35 points.

CFR Cluj – Rapid, LIVE from 20:30

CFR Cluj – Rapid, starting teams

CFR Cluj (4-3-3): Hindrich – Kun, Sinyan, M. Ilie, Camora – Emerllahu, D. Djokovic, T. Keita – A. Cordea, L. Munteanu, Korenica
Reserves: R. Gal, Oct. Valceanu, A. Abeid, M. Coco, Kresic, Perianu, A. Fică, L. Biliboc, C. Deac, A. Şfaiț, Badamosi, Slimani
Coach: Daniel Pancu

Quick (4-3-3): Aioani – Onea, Kramer, Ciobotariu, Braun – Vulturar, K. Keita, Christensen – Dobre, Baroan, Petrila
Reserves: Stolz, Briciu, Ignat, Cr. Manea, Badescu, Hromada, C. Grameni, Gojkovic, R. Pop, Micovschi, Jambor, E. Koljic
Coach: Costel Gâlcă

• The top Antoine Baroan returns to the first “11” after more than two months, in the championship. The last time he started was on September 21, in Rapid – Hermannstadt 1-2.

Stadium: CFR Dr. Constantin Rădulescu
Referee: Florin Andrei
Assistants: Mihai Marica, Cristian Ilinca
VAR Referee: Sorin Costreie // Assistant VAR: Sebastian Gheorghe

UPDATE 18:23 » How the locker room of Rapid is presented

UPDATE 18:20 » CFR Cluj locker room, more than two hours before the game

UPDATE 17:30 » Cristi Ignat, the defender of Rapid, for the first time in the squad since June

Cristi Ignat, Rapid's central defender, is part of the team's squad for the first time this season. He hasn't flirted with the team for five months due to an injury.

Cristi Ignat, the defender of Rapid, for the first time in the squad since June // PHOTO: Facebook

Leo Bolgado is on loan from CFR Cluj and has no right to play. Alexandru Pașcanu, Andrei Borza, Gabriel Gheorghe, Drilon Hazrollaj, Borisav Burmaz and ⁠Diogo Mendes are unavailable.

Superliga live standings

With a win, Rapid would go to 35 points and could distance themselves from FC Botoșani and Dinamo, depending on the result of the direct match on Monday. On the other hand, CFR Cluj would climb to 11th place.

The most important statistics before CFR Cluj – Rapid

• Two wins, three draws and three defeats is the record recorded by CFR Cluj in the current championship at home.

• March 8, 2025, FC Hermannstadt-Rapid 1-0 was the last game lost by the Bucharesters in the Super League as visitors. Six wins and seven draws followed.

• Giulești finished the previous round with the most goals scored – 29 (22 from action) and the best defense – 12 goals conceded.

• The Transylvanians scored eight goals from set pieces, five of which were from corners (the most).

• Alexandru Dobre collected 11 offensive contributions in the current edition (9 goals, 2 assists), the most, tied with Florin Tănase (FCSB).

• The two teams have met in the main domestic competition 51 times, Cluj won 17 times, Giulești won 21 times, and another 13 games ended in a draw.

• Records with CFR host: 25 games – 1 CFR wins – 8 draws – 6 successes Rapid.

• The first match took place on November 19, 1947, CFR Bucharest-Ferar 5-1 (B. Marian, I. Lungu – double, Filotti, Comşa / Ferenczi 60).

• The rapid handed today's opponent the most severe defeat in the championship. It happened in March 1949, CFR Bucharest – CFR Cluj 12-2, the title of the chronicle from “Popular Sport” being a suggestive one: “THE NUMBERS HAVE NOT REACHED THE TABLE ANYMORE…”. At the same time, this result also meant the clearest victory in the history of Bucharest on the first stage. Four of the 12 successes bore the signature of Bazil Marian, and three others were achieved by Zavoda I. At the end of the 1948/1949 season, Rapid finished 2nd, while CFR took the B road, from where it would return in 1969.

• The most recent direct confrontation in the Superliga: July 20, 2025, Rapid-CFR Cluj 1-1 (Elvir Koljic / Virgiliu Postolachi).