Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published on Tuesday, 03 February 2026, 23:40 / Updated on Tuesday, 03 February 2026 23:41
Hermannstadt lost at home against Rapid, score 0-3in a match in which the people from Giulio were more efficient and climbed to first place in the Superliga. Daniel Niculae (43 years old), president of Sibiu and former Rapid player, commented on his team's performance and praised the strength of the opponent.
Ciobotariu, Grameni and Jambor scored the goals of Rapid's victory.
Daniel Niculae, after Hermannstadt – Rapid 0-3: “In the first half we had a little extra”
The former Rapid striker recognized the superiority of the opponent, but also emphasized the good moments of the Sibiu:
“Grameni played very well and managed to score the goal he also scored in training camp. The first half was not bad, in fact we had a little extra, even if Rapid had the possession. It's a team with quality players and I think they'll fight to win the championship this season.”
Niculae believes that the match could change in one phase:
“Maybe if we had scored on Albu's bar, the fate of the match would have been different. In the second half we did not play well. Rapid scored at the first opportunity, as he has done many times this season. The moment they score, the game swings in their favor. We made a lot of defensive errors.
We need to recover physically. A difficult match awaits us in Mioveni. I congratulate Rapidul, it's a good team, I'll keep my fingers crossed for them, but we have to show better football at Mioveni.”
Dialogue with Cristi Săpunaru: “The rapid doesn't forgive you”
Entering into a short dialogue with Cristi Săpunaru, former captain of Rapid, Niculae explained that the lack of lucidity was decisive.
Cristi Săpunaru: “The only illogical thing is that they lost their fitness far too quickly. The full-backs were going up at the same time and the centre-backs were left alone, without dubbing.”
Daniel Nicolae: “Yes, probably also from the desire to equalize. The game background in the first half was good, to very good in some places, but I lost my lucidity. The rapid doesn't forgive you. Petrila had a sensational match.”
Daniel Niculae and Cristi Săpunaru, when they were performing at Rapid // PHOTO: sportpictures.eu
Niculae, about Moruțan: “The best transfer of the winter in Romania”
Daniel Niculae had words of appreciation for Olimpiu Moruțan, transferred by Rapid this winter:
“I think that Moruțan is the best winter transfer in Romania. He is a big plus for Rapid and he showed that from the first minutes. We also made good transfers, but we made them for ourselves. I hope that the players brought in this winter will help us, because they have proven quality. We have to collect points, because the standings in front broke a little.”
Finally, Niculae reaffirmed his support for Dorinel Munteanu, appointed head coach in December:
“Of course, the trust remains in Dorinel Munteanu. We will play better and better and accumulate more points. I trust him completely. We played with a team that led the championship in consecutive stages.
And last season we won with Rapid, including in the tour match, but that doesn't mean we don't have to win the matches against the teams that come to us. We lost a lot of points at home and this shouldn't have happened”, concluded Daniel Niculae, in an intervention on the show “Fotbal Club”, from Digi Sport.
