“These two teams are favorites for the title.” Are they still enjoying FCSB's failures? “leaves me cold”

The curtain has been drawn on the football year 2025 in the Superliga. Craiova University finished in 1st place, but the duel is fierce. Both for the first positions and for the play-offs.

There are two points between place 1 and place 4, occupied by Dinamo! Rapid is in second position, one point less than the Juves. FC Botoșani is tied on points with Dinamo, having one more goal on goal difference.

Then between 5th and 11th place there are 8 points! FC Argeș (34 points) and Oțelul (33 points) are in the play-off positions, chased by U Cluj (33), UTA (32), FCSB (31), Farul (27) and CFR Cluj (26).

Cristi Borcea about Dinamo at the end of the year: “With 3-4 players, Dinamo could fight for the championship”

– Mr. Borcea, what do you think about Dinamo's year and how do you see 2026 for Dinamo?
– A good year, it could be even better. But the last match (n.red 0-2 with UTA) was the weakest of the season. Just when it had to be the best. This shows the lack of experience of the players, it shows the fact that they did not fight for trophies, for European cups, to have the mentality of winners and to be strong in key moments. With 3-4 players, Dinamo can fight for the championship.

– What positions should these 3-4 players be?
– First of all, he has no lot! It doesn't have an attack spike. The bands are strong, but not that strong. And they still need a central defender, you can't just sit in two stoppers. And a central midfielder. But a striker is mandatory.

– And are there good transfers in the winter mercato? It's a bit difficult, you still have years of football experience.
– If you pay, you can take whatever you want!

12trophies won by Cristi Borcea as manager of the club from Ștefan cel Mare, including 4 championships (2000, 2002, 2004 and 2007)

Cristi Borcea believes that Dinamo can finish on the podium

– If!
– They are not looking for (players) in the winter mercato, there are no longer those times when you used to hire from outside, Romanians, who did not play in the big championships. We were selling them back, after… And Claudiu Niculescu, and Alexa, and Marius Niculae, we also took from Rapid, Bratu and Lobonț… I am sure that Dinamo has a scouting team and point eye, point hit.

– Do you think that Dinamo has “ammunition” for point blank, hit point?
– Yes, no problem. I say yes. Dinamo also has very good shareholders and very good management. (Andrei) Nicolescu grew up a lot.

– And can Dinamo again be a team that can shoot for the European cups or even for the title?
– Yes. Yes.

– Does he have a realistic shot at the title?
– With 3-4 experienced players, yes.

– And if he doesn't take them?
– Finish in the top three. As a team, Craiova has the best. As a lot – Steaua (n.red FCSB).

Cristi Borcea sees Craiova University as the favorite for the title. Second on FCSB!

– Who would be the favorite for the title?
– Craiova.

– And the second one?
– FCSB.

– Quick, Dinamo, Botoșani?
– They don't have title lots…

– Who do you see in the play-offs?
– Craiova, Rapid, Dinamo… FCSB clearly. FC Botoșani, Pitesti, CFR, U Cluj, Oțelul are fighting for the last places. It will be played. It's a very weak championship, very weak, everything is compressed.

Before, in my time, the first 4-5 teams in the ranking had squads with footballers who made up two formations. Now, the championship is very weak

– Cristi Borcea

Cristi Borcea does not see Dinamo qualifying for a European group in 2026

– Do you see Dinamo qualifying for the European Cups?
– Nope. Oh wait! You are asking me something else. Yes, to qualify for Europe, maybe, but not in the groups of a competition. No chance there with the current batch. Apart from Cîrjan, Dinamo has no players to make the difference.

– If you could choose one or two footballers from League 1 that you could transfer to Dinamo at any time, who would they be?
– For me, the problem wasn't that it wasn't something achievable… Now, it depends on whether Dinamo can afford important targets. Florin Tănase is an experienced player, I like him. Then, Baiaram and Bancu. They are players who can make a difference.

– Who would you nominate as the Romanian footballer of the year?
– Well, ours don't really play outside. Who should I pass? Come on, Ratiu! He is in Spain, he plays constantly.

– The Romanian coach of the year?
– I feel sorry for Oli (n.ed. Cosmin Olăroiu), he is the best Romanian coach at the moment, in fact for many years. I'm sorry that he didn't qualify for the World Cup, I suffered for him like in my matches during Dinamo's time. Chivu is the best now that he is at Inter.

– But do you see him lasting there at this level?
– If he finishes in 1st place in the tour and goes further, as much as possible, in the Champions League… He is in the top, he can last there. It also depends on a few transfers now, in the winter, what moves he makes.

I don't see a Romanian footballer at Inter, at Milan, at Real any time soon… They are Rațiu and Drăgușin. It can be seen that they are footballers, not friends with footballers
Cristi Borcea

Cristi Borcea sees Cătălin Cîrjan as the best from Dinamo. But they would not see him starting in Dinamo 2007

– Who is your favorite player from Romania now?
– Cîrjan.

– Would it have taken place in the first 11 of Dinamo's champion team in 2007?
– (smiles) Let's be serious! Where? After that triumphant year, I took Zicu, Bratu and Marius Niculae, then NDoye, and Boștină.

– Who was your favorite football player from Dinamo?
– Many, from Lupescu, Răducioiu, Mateuț, Mihali, Stelea, Prunea… Many from Dinamo's golden generation.

Dinamo's first 11 in the 2006/2007 edition, champion with Mircea Rednic as coach

Lobonț – Blay, Moți, Șt. Radu, Pulhac – Ze Kalanga, Mărgăritescu, C. Munteanu, Ad. Cristea – Cl. Niculescu, Danciulescu

Cristi Borcea, otherwise, at 55 years old: “I felt sorry for Craiova. I don't mind FCSB's victories anymore”

– Do you still watch football matches?
– I can't watch a whole match anymore. I'm out of shape.

– Do you watch the games in the European cups?
– Rarely. I was upset that the University of Craiova lost the qualification in Athens. There's the coaching thing, lack of experience! That they had experienced players on the field.

– Do you still enjoy the failures of FCSB rivals?
– I don't mind their success and I don't enjoy their defeats. It leaves me cold. I have nothing to do with the rivalry anymore.

– Is it better this way?
– It's much better. Nothing moves me anymore in football, nothing, nothing! If you went through what I went through in life, you would be the same as I am now. Like anyone.

– What do you want for 2026?
– Health. And let the children be well.