Article by Sergiu Alexandru – Published Saturday, January 24, 2026, 5:08 p.m. / Updated Saturday, January 24, 2026, 5:32 p.m.
Daniel Pancu, the coach of CFR Cluj, prefaced the duel with FCSB, scheduled for Sunday, in the 23rd stage of the Super League.
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FCSB – CFR Cluj is played on Sunday, from 20:00. It will be liveTEXT on GSP.ro, with real-time information from the National Arena, and live on PrimaSport and DigiSport.
At the pre-match press conference, the Transylvanian coach spoke about the chances of qualifying for the play-offs, stating that it will be a complicated mission even if CFR Cluj wins all the remaining matches to be played. Then, he also commented on the delicate situation in which FCSB is, explaining that he hopes to take advantage of Florin Tănase's absence.
VIDEO. Pancu's forbidden word before FCSB – CFR Cluj: “I refuse to speak”
“We want to continue our good form, we come after three games in which we took maximum points. But we cannot go over the evolution of the first game of the year, because there were many problems. Of course, also many objective causes. Players left, came, we had absences. But even in this situation we cannot play like we did in the first leg and hope to get something tomorrow. The players know that. Of course, it was very important to win to keep our hopes alive.
I refuse to talk about that word that everybody talks about (no- play-off), because… We all think so, but it would be equivalent to a new title. Or with a miracle. Don't say the word play-off because I'm not interested. I'm not convinced we'll qualify even if we keep beating until the end of the regular season. I am not convinced how this situation is. If we win everything, I think we will still qualify with emotions.
Football does not end with the play-off or play-out. If you finish in the first two places, you can reach the European cups. But football does not end if CFR is not in the play-offs. It will be a year from which we will have to learn, so that we don't repeat the mistakes. Of course, our place is in the play-offs, but that's how football is,” said Daniel Pancu at the beginning of the conference.
Daniel Pancu: “Individually, the players from FCSB are the best”
Then he also talked about the duel with FCSB.
“We meet a fantastic team, with fantastic players. But it's not in a good moment. Now it's not a fantastic team. I don't know if we're somehow underestimating the Romanian championship. Analyzing FCSB and seeing what players they have, I noted that there is no way they won't be in first place.
If there is not much individual value in Romania, it means that the teams and coaches are valuable, if two clubs like CFR Cluj and FCSB are not in the top 6 in Romania. It means that we have a championship with very well-organized teams and well-trained coaches, and that's why FCSB is in this situation. Because on an individual level I'm fine with everything.
It has very good players who can decide the match at any time, against any opponent, both in Europe and in the championship. Individually, they are the best in Romania. It is not discussed. I have no doubt. But as a team they suffer. They have our problems too. In the beginning, no one believed that we would be here. But that's why football is beautiful. And it's also nice for the teams that are there in front.
It was an important loss for FCSB and I hope we can take advantage. It's a minus solution. FCSB has players of great value, but for me Tănase is the most difficult to mark and annihilate. He has great experience and great quality.
It is clear that FCSB has a big advantage. Every minute spent in European cups means added value. CFR Cluj has not been in the groups for three years, and FCSB has been holding the flag high in Romanian football for two years. I analyzed very little what happened in Zagreb. If FCSB has something more than us, it is in this chapter. Two years in a row in the Europa League group means a lot.
We are coming after three victories, we have a very good morale, but playing the way we did in the first stage… The highlight, when we played 11 against 11, we were very good. After the elimination, I don't know… Maybe we relaxed. I had a lot of problems in the game”, added Pancu.
We solved our problems. We will be in full force. I hope to be inspired. But we will have good solutions on the bench. we are fine
– Daniel Pancu, CFR Cluj coach
