Article by Ionuţ Coman – Published Saturday, February 14, 2026, 7:38 p.m. / Updated Saturday, February 14, 2026, 7:46 p.m.
Left with only theoretical chances for a play-off spot after two consecutive failures, Farul Constanța is already starting to do its calculations for the fight in the play-out. The white-blues have the mission of collecting points at the end of the regular season, with the new goal in mind for the current edition of the championship, the 7th-8th places and the barrier for the presence in the European cups.
Ianis Zicu's boys, however, have a hellish schedule in the four remaining stages to be played. The first hop is scheduled for Sunday, from 17:00, at home, when they receive the visit of the occupant of the second position, Rapid Bucharest.
Ianis Zicu: “We have to score points and fulfill our other objective, ranking 7-8”
Ianis Zicu (42 years old), the coach of Farului, wants to beat Rapidul and increase his chances of catching the barrier for the Conference League, from the 7th-8th places in the play-out
“Things are winding down, the regular season is over and for the most part we know where we're going to be because our playoff chances aren't too high. But that doesn't matter, we've got to be good and win the game tomorrow night, to score points and achieve our other goal, placing 7-8“, warned the 42-year-old technician.
Markovic, back in the cards
For the duel with Giulești, Farul will not be able to rely on Narek Grygorian and Răzvan Tănasă, both suspended for the accumulation of yellow cards, Steve Furtado and Ionuț Cojocaru, both injured.
Instead, the “renegade” comes into focus Jovan Markovicwho scored three times on Wednesday, in the game with CS Dinamo Bucharest, in the Romanian Cup.
“When you score goals, you gain the confidence of the coach. I want a lot more from him when he gets involved in training. This is the discussion I have with him every day, but the qualities are there and it shows when he gets into scoring situations. It's definitely a fix for the Rapid matchup“, revealed the white-blue coach.
Jovan Markovic in the T-shirt of the Constanța Lighthouse / Photo: Imago Images
The Lighthouse coach is not afraid of dismissal
Despite the delicate situation, Ianis Zicu claims that he is not afraid of a possible dismissal, even if the president of the club, Gică Popescu, did not rule out this option if Farul ends the regular season on its knees.
“The coach's situation depends on each match, I don't think there is anything long-term in this sport, although this club has offered stability to the coaches. Whether it was Gica or the others, they were patient. Certainly, when they were not successful or there were several matches without a win, any change of the technical bench came into discussion.
I don't think about it, I just prepare the team as best as possible and everyone is united for the goal“, said the coach from Constanta.
