Article by Daniel Grigore – Published Saturday, January 24, 2026 22:33 / Updated Saturday, January 24, 2026 22:41
Filipe Coelho (45 years old), the coach of the University of Craiova, analyzed what happened in today's victory, 2-0 with FC Botoșani in the 23rd stage of the Superliga.
Under the command of the Portuguese coach, the University won 5 of the 7 matches played in the championship, having a phenomenal goal difference of 16 – 2. Coelho was presented with these statistics at the beginning of the flash interview.
Filipe Coelho: “A fair result, I changed at half-time”
“They are good numbers, but more important than that are the points. Today we put 3 more points, even if the first half was not as good as I expected. The players understood what we had to do in the second half and I think it is a fair result.
We have foreseen this game, that's why we have several game systems, depending on the opponent, the characteristics of the game. In the second half we changed [sistemul]we chose this solution and I think it worked out for us, because we played much better. The first half had not been very good.
All players work well. That's good for the coach. Me and the staff have to make decisions. It's good that we have such players at our disposal,” said Coelho in the first phase.
He wanted to thank the supporters as well as all the employees from the stadium and training base of the blue-and-whites:
“We thank the supporters because at certain times, especially in the first half, we suffered a little bit, but they stood by us. It's cold, but they were amazing. We need them.
I also want to thank those I work with at the base, those who clean, who prepare everything. We should be grateful, because we have many people who help us, who you don't see on the field but who help us a lot. The fields are not in good condition because of the weather, but they work hard and I thank them for that.”
“Yellowed” by Bîrsan: “I don't understand, but I have to accept”
Finally, he was also asked about the yellow card he received in the first half, after he protested a decision by the referee Marcel Bîrsan, who was quick to sanction a shoulder-to-shoulder duel as a foul.
“OK, I'll tell you. The referee said that Baiaram had fouled. All I asked is why didn't he just let the game run and then if it was empty cancel it? That's all I said and I got a yellow card. Even if I don't understand, I have to accept. To be honest, I didn't say anything. But that's it.”
This victory brought Craiova back to the top of the Superliga, a position that the Oltenians are sure they will end stage 23 with, regardless of what result Rapid will register on Monday, in Arad.
