Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 08:26 / Updated Tuesday, January 27, 2026 08:38
Nervous about the performance of the goalkeeper in the failure with CFR Cluj at the National Arena, score 1-4, Gigi Becali initially announced that the place of the Romanian international between the sticks will be taken by the reserve goalkeeper, Lukas Zima (32 years old).
Later, FCSB boss changed his mind and announced that the young Alexandru Matei Popa (18 years old) will start in the last 7 stages of the regular season, being used as an under option.
Basarab Panduru criticized Gigi Becali's last decision at FCSB: “It seems desperation to me”
“It seems to me this desperation to try anything, even if it has a foundation or not, you rely on something or you don't. If the under doesn't help you in the field, then let's try it in goal. Let's score three goals and take two, that's no problem. The despair of not knowing what to do at this moment.
It is his chance, it is the luck of his life. No one would have given him a chance with Târnovanu at FCSB”, said Basarab Panduru, according to primasport.ro.
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, but in these 7 matches we decided to defend with an under goalkeeper, not to stand behind him anymore, because we can't win the matches with Toma.
– Gigi BecaliFCSB patron
Former junior of LPS Bihor Oradea, Matei Popa is the son of the goalkeeping coach from FCSB, former 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 will defend FCSB's goal in the last 7 stages of the regular season
Superliga standings
