Article by Adrian Duţă – Published Saturday, January 31, 2026 10:28 p.m. / Updated Saturday, January 31, 2026 10:45 p.m.
The inevitable happened again Rapid lost the first match of the year, 0-2 against U Clujafter the worst performance in 2026 by Constantin Gâlcă's students. Giulești had luckily obtained 6 points in the previous two games.
They beat Metaloglobus at the limit, 1-0, then won with UTA, 2-1, after a big controversy, which sparked debates in the refereeing world, with former “centrals” failing to agree on whether a penalty should be awarded for Pospelov's handball.
The third time was not lucky for the white-cherries. With the first huge opportunity coming only in the 88th minute, Rapid proved again that they have the most modest game of the top three teams in the standings, the main favorites for the title at the moment.
With nothing at his disposal, Gâlcă fringed the team
And the main culprit for the Rapid's disappointing performances is easy to identify. His name is Constantin Gâlcă, the one who was overlooked because of the results.
Rapid has been looking for a decar lately, found him, convinced him to sign, then threw him in the lane. The decision of the technician from Giulesti to use Moruțan as a winger led to a chain reaction.
First of all, he took Olimpiu out of his favorite area of the field. Although he has decent numbers in the lane, his best performance behind the “peak”, judging from the beginning of his career to date.
In the second row, with Moruțan sent to the extreme right, Alexandru Dobre was moved to the left. The captain of the Rapid was almost non-existent. Returning in the second half to the position where he feels best, he dribbled, crossed dangerously and reminded of that Dobre who can always make the difference. But he didn't have time because he didn't finish the game on the field.
And, thirdly, the tenure of Moruțan as a right winger and the use of Dobre on the left also resulted in the change of status of Petrila, who became a luxury reserve. Practically, Gâlcă plugged a mouth of fire himself.
Having Dobre, Moruțan and Petrila at your disposal, who would form one of the best lines of three players behind a “peak” in the Superliga, and not using them shows fear.
You don't win trophies with fear
And you don't win titles with fear. Of course, nothing is lost yet, it's far too early to talk about it. Rapid would remain only 4 points behind the leader Craiova if Olten wins at Ovidiu, with Farul.
But the game cannot give hope even to the most optimistic rapidist supporter who braved the frost in Bucharest to watch the duel with U Cluj from the stadium.
Olimpiu Moruțan, in Rapid – U Cluj // Photo: Cristi Preda
Rapid has no in-game identity
Another aspect to note about Rapid, compared to the other teams on the podium, Craiova and Dinamo. Giulești have no game identity. The system changes from match to match: sometimes only one closer is used, sometimes two. Dobre plays sometimes on the left, sometimes on the right. Today they play on the counterattack, tomorrow they try for possession.
And with U Cluj, Moruțan was a ball magnet, in only his second game in the cherry jersey, his first as a starter. Everyone was looking for him. Too early for anything good to come out of this.
At the other two clubs, the coordinates are much better set up. In Oltenia, the same system is used, 3-5-2, regardless of who is on the pitch. They all know what to do depending on the position they play. The attack can consist of Nsimba and Baiaram or Assad and Etim, and Craiova will be just as dangerous, because the players know what to do.
At Dinamo, the route is clear. The ball goes on foot, from the goalkeeper, construction, possession are tried, with playing relationships formed in the past six months since the start of the season. The system is 4-3-3 and the starting formula is known 80% before each game.
At Rapid, this continuity does not exist, which is why she is the third favorite for the title at the moment. It could fall even lower depending on the rest of the teams that will be in the play-offs.
Gâlca has one more concern from now on: not to let the locker room get out of hand
It remains to be seen if Gâlcă can get more out of the players at his disposal. And if he will keep the dressing room intact, with the co-optation of Moruțan.
His transfer can turn into a double-edged sword, as Gică Mihali anticipated the other day in dialogue with GSP. The former great player from Dinamo declared that the removal of Petrila from the first “11” could create problems within the formation from Giulesti.
