Why Petrolul – Universitatea Craiova is a match of contrasts » 8 details before the Ploiesti derby
The team that ended 2025 in first place is trying to regain its leadership position, after opponents Rapid and Dinamo won their matches in this stage. The white-blues make their debut in the new year on the field of the team they destroyed in the Cup, in December (4-0). The mission looks different now, especially since Petrolul is tight with the battle door from the bottom of the standings.
Why is Petrolul – Craiova a unique match? Tonight's duel pits the most offensive team in the first league, Craiova, but also the most modest attack. The Oltenians scored 37 times in the first 21 stages, while the “Gazarians” pierced the opposing gates only 16 times.
Practical, only Baiaram (6), Nsimba (6) and Al Hamlawi (5) scored more goals than the entire Petrol team!
Petrolul – Craiova, in the most interesting statistical figures
Here are the most interesting milestones of the game:
– December 1, 2025, Petrolul-Metaloglobus 4-1 was the only victory achieved by Prahoven in the last eight stages, otherwise five draws and two defeats.
– Olteni won four of the 10 trips in the current championship, and four other times they ended in a tie.
– It will be the duel between the team with the fewest scored goals, Petrolul – 16 successes, and the best offensive team, Universitatea Craiova – 37 goals scored.
– Craiova finished the previous round with the best average possession – 59.4% (Petrolul – 45.1%).
-320 fouls were committed by the players from Ploiești, the most of all competitors (Univ. Craiova – 236).
-The game will be a special one for Eugen Neagoe, who played in the blue-white shirt for nine seasons, being a key player in the last title won by the group from Bănie (1990/1991).
– Since the return of Petrol on the first stage in 2022, the two teams have met in the main domestic competition seven times, four times Craiova prevailed, one game was won by Prahoven, and two other games ended in a draw.
-30 players used Ploiești this season, of which Ricardinho and Adi Chică-Roşa checked attendance in every stage. Olteni relied on 33 footballers, 19 of them making at least one offensive contribution (goal / assist / penalty taken).
We will be playing against a well-organized team that has conceded only 20 goals so far. It won't be easy, but we will be ready and we will try to get the 3 points. It would be a mistake on our part to think that it will be like the last game with them. It will be a different game, with different players in both teams, and it would definitely be better not to refer to the cup game we played, because this game will definitely be different.
We have to accept the weather, no matter the conditions, we have to be focused, unapologetic and adapt to give it our all.
– Filipe Coelho, coach University of Craiova
