Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Monday, January 26, 2026 22:32 / Updated Monday, January 26, 2026 22:32
Rapid prevailed on the field of UTA Arad, score 2-1in a tense match, and the people from Giulești remain seriously involved in the fight for the title. Alexandru Dobre, the captain of Rapid and the author of the first goal of the Bucharest team, spoke at the end about the importance of the victory, but also about the team's goals. Also, Leo Bolgado, who came on at half-time in place of the injured Lars Kramer, spoke after scoring the decisive goal for the cherry and whites.
UTA opened the scoring through Marius Coman, but the Bucharesters quickly got back into the game. Dobre equalized from the penalty spot, and Bolgado brought the three points in the second half, in a match played on a difficult pitch.
Dobre, after UTA 1-2 Rapid: “A difficult field, but three big points”
Alexandru Dobre admitted that the game in Arad was a complicated one, as the whole team expected:
“We expected a tough game. We're happy for the three points and that's the most important thing tonight. We knew we were going to suffer, we talked about it before in the dressing room and I'm glad we managed the situation well.
It is a victory that counts a lot, achieved on a difficult ground, where it slipped very often. It was a tense finish, but the most important thing is that we won. We go home positive and prepare for the next game, where we are waiting for the fans with us.”
“We can definitely fight for the title”
Asked about Rapid's chances in the fight for the championship, Dobre was optimistic:
“We can definitely fight for the title. We still have some things to improve, but if we put into practice in the game what we are working on in training, I am convinced that we will be there.”
The Rapid player also spoke about his personal achievements:
I am happy for individual successes, but the most important are the team's goals. Goals are a bonus. I enjoy every match, if I score, very good, if I don't, just as well.
I also thank the supporters, they are always with us. We expect as many of them as possible at the next match. U Cluj is a tough opponent, but we will prepare the game very well and we are determined to get the three points.”
Bolgado, the hero of Rapid: “I feel better than at CFR”
Leo Bolgado, who came on at half-time after Lars Kramer's injury, scored the winning goal and declared himself satisfied with his integration at Rapid:
“I'm happy that I could help my teammates. It was a difficult match, but I'm very happy to win. I resisted the pressure and the victory is very important.
I feel better here than at CFR. Colleagues and supporters received me very well. I'm happy to be part of a big club and I'm only thinking about Rapid.”
Asked about the title fight, Bolgado was optimistic:
“Yes, we can win the title, but step by step, match by match. Today we did a good job, now we think about the next game.”
Ranking situation
After 23 stages, Rapid climbed to second place in the Superliga, with 45 points. On the other hand, UTA Arad, coached by Adrian Mihalcea, remains in 8th place, one point away from the play-off zone.
In the next stage, Rapid will receive the visit of Cluj University, while UTA Arad will play away, in Mioveni, against FC Argeș.
