The MVP of Rapid – Petrolul sends a warrior message: “I put my head in the ice for my colleagues”

At the end of the match, the goalkeeper declared himself satisfied with the draw, but said his biggest regret: that he didn't escape without conceding a goal. He had a very good performance in Giulești, achieving several spectacular parades.

Raul Bălbarău, after Rapid – Petrolul: “I really wanted not to score here”

“We played a very good game tactically. We came after the point or points, we come back a bit disappointed. We led but we couldn't keep the score. That's my job, I've been doing it since I was little, I'd put my head in the ice for my teammates and I know they would do the same.

It was very difficult in the second half, but we organized well. I was really disappointed after the goal, I wanted a goalless game here. Training and instinct. I was very happy to get Bolgado's ball out.

These points mean a lot, both in the direct duel with Slobozia and with two good teams from Bucharest. I hope we keep accumulating points. I know what rivalries mean: for Petrolul, the match with Rapid is the biggest derby. For such matches we started playing football”, said Raul Bălbărău, at Prima Sport.

We have progressed, we are growing from match to match and we are enjoying it. We are at the bottom of the table and we needed at least one away point. I think the red card was given too easily. From my point of view, they were normal game contacts. Maybe in one of the phases I could have received a yellow card, but not in both. In football there are such contacts.

In the first half we had some clear chances and we should have scored. Rapid attacked more than us, they are a good team and it was normal to create chances. Overall, I think the result is fair.

It's not the first time I play against Rapid. I'm glad my father was at the game, he always supports me. I don't know who he was with tonight. He told me that the removal was granted too easily. We'll talk after the game.

It's hard for me that I won't be able to be with my teammates to help them, but everyone did a really good job. Things are going in a good direction and we hope to accumulate points to start the play-out OK.

– Marco Dulca, midfielder at Petrolul

We are happy that we didn't lose, very important for our morale. Difficult game, ranked second, and I played a solid, good game. We could win, we could lose, and it worked out well for us. I'm glad I helped my team, but I'm more satisfied with the result. We knew that it doesn't suit Rapid to have a positional game, Rapid is a counter-attacking team, that's how they scored most of the goals. We prepared the game well and scored in the set phase.

It is not true that some are arguing with Neagoe. Arguing with the coach is pointless! You know how it is, the coach is right. There is no conflict, it was a nastier time, but we knew how to manage things better. They are fairly normal, morale is good. In the last 3 games we did not lose, we played with teams that are fighting for the championship. Let's remain modest as before and save ourselves from relegation.

Bad beautiful atmosphere. The referee asked us whether to stop the match because of fumigene, Manea said it was stinging his throat. I've known Gâlcă since he coached another team, I played for another team (no – when both were at FCSB). I have respect for him, I greeted him, I wished him well and that's about it.

– Paul Papp, defender at Petrolul