Article by Ionuţ Iordache, Sergiu Alexandru – Published on Sunday, 04 January 2026, 14:13 / Updated on Sunday, 04 January 2026 14:14
Marian Aioani, the goalkeeper of Rapid, started the year with a categorical announcement. In a press conference held at the luxury hotel where Rapid is staying in Antalya, he said that the Giulești team wants the title of champion.
Rapid finished the year in 2nd place, one point behind leaders Universitatea Craiova, although they led the championship for most of the season. And for 2026, Marian Aioani says that he and his colleagues want to win the championship, declaring that Craiova University, Dinamo and FCSB are the main contenders.
VIDEO. Marian Aioani, categorical announcement from Turkey: “We want the title! It will be difficult, but that's what I want”
“For this year we set out to compete in the championship. I want to have the best possible evolutions and help my team win as many matches as possible. I want to concede as few goals as possible.
So far we've had light training, but there will also be harder training because we need to be as fit as possible. I think that last year, the match with FC Botoșani, that 0-0, was my best game. I think we had 4-5 parades. But I hope we don't end up in this situation again, where I have to be put to work. I hope the rest of my colleagues will help me. And to score more goals.
Yes, we want the title, but it will be a long road. There are still 4-5 months to play. FCSB in the play-offs? I don't know, I don't care. Whatever it is in the play-offs, it certainly has quality. Opponents for the title? I don't know. Craiova, Dinamo, FCSB. They are very good teams. There's no point in saying this anymore.
I don't think that the place in the ranking upsets us the most, but the way we showed. We haven't looked that good in the last 4-5 games of the year. With a big team there is always pressure, you have to play with it. Now, most of the teams are more motivated when they play against us”, said Marian Aioani at the press conference.
The rest of the goalkeepers in the team are good kids with a lot of quality. I try to help them, give them advice. There is more pressure on the goalkeepers because they see any mistake. I have to be there when the team needs me the most. I try to give everything day by day and train as well as possible. I don't care if I have someone behind me or not.
– Marian Aioani
