Article by Cezar Titor – Published Monday, January 26, 2026, 4:29 p.m. / Updated Monday, January 26, 2026, 4:46 p.m.
Since last night, he declared himself extremely dissatisfied with the evolution of Ștefan Târnovanu, the one who bears part of the blame for the first three goals of the “railway players” at the country's biggest stadium. Although Zima was transferred from Petrolul last winter to be Târnovanu's backup, it seems that FCSB chooses a different strategy. And the name is a surprising one: Popa Matei Alexandru, the only U21 goalkeeper in the team of the champions of the last two seasons in the Super League.
Fane the goalkeeper (no – Târnovanu), I know some things about him, unhappy since he left, I was defending him, but you take the long way, you take the short way. The first time I wanted to punish him, to defend Zima, only in these 7 matches we decided to defend with an under goalkeeper, not to stand behind him anymore, because we can't win matches with Toma.
– Gigi Becali, FCSB patron
Matei Popa will defend FCSB's goal in the last 7 stages of the regular season
Who is Matei Popa, the goalkeeper who will be the starter at FCSB, according to Gigi Becali
Former junior of LPS Bihorul Oradea, Matei Popa is the son of the goalkeeping coach at FCSBformer Oradean international Marius Popa, former goalkeeper with Bihor Oradea, FC Național, Poli Timișoara or U Cluj in his CV, as well as two selections for the first national team.
Matei Popa comes from the red-blue academy, in the summer doing the first trainings with the senior team. He is 18 years old, turning 19 on March 29.
He measures 184 centimeters and is registered with the number #13 on the website of the Professional Football League. At the end of this year, he was the goalkeeper of FCSB in the UEFA Youth League. In the 4 matches played there, with Lokomotiv Zagreb and Puskas FC, he scored 8 goals, but overall his performances were highly appreciated.
Variant and from League 2 for FCSB. Alexandru Maxim could be recalled from the Volunteers
In addition to Zima, Târnovanu and Matei Popa, FCSB also has Răzvan Udrea available for the goalkeeper position. At the same time, the red-blues also have under contract Alexandru Maxim, a goalkeeper who measures over 2 meters, currently on loan in the 2nd League, at FC Voluntari. Maxim is 19 years old, having been born on 23.01.2007.
In the summer, he was temporarily transferred by the champion to the Ilfov team for one season. In 15 games in the second division, he conceded 12 goals, keeping 8 clean sheets. FCSB could recall Maxim and give away one of the already existing variants.
