Daniel Pancu's great fear, revealed after the match that took CFR Cluj to the play-off: “When I saw him today…”

Ashley Davis16/02/2026

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Article by Maria Olteanu – Published Monday, February 16, 2026, 8:28 p.m. / Updated Monday, February 16, 2026, 8:29 p.m.

Daniel Pancu (48 years old), the technician from CFR Cluj, drew the first conclusions in the flash-interview, shortly after the team he leads achieved a huge success, score 1-0, away, in Hermannstadtin round number 27 of the Superliga.

Following this result, CFR Cluj moved up to the play-off spot, currently in fifth place, with three stages left to play in the regular season. The last time the group from Gruia was in the play-off place was in the summer, at the end of stage number 2. Since then, 25 stages have passed with CFR Cluj in the play-out place.

Daniel Pancu lived this match with all his heart, especially the final, an electrifying one, in which the hosts received a penalty in the 90th + 5th minute, but Chivulete was returned from the VAR room, and CFR finally achieved success, an extremely important one in the fight on the edge for the play-offs.

He admitted that he had emotions when he saw that David Lazar was in the opponent's goal, the goalkeeper against whom the teams he led never won. Lazar came to Sibiu a few days agofrom FC Argeș, the team Cătălin Căbuz joined.

Daniel Pancu, reaction after the victory with Hermannstadt

“It was a game that consumed us all a lot. The important thing is that we got another victory. We came close to something that seemed impossible.

We cannot say that 10 wins in 12 games is a coincidence. It's a huge feat, but I haven't achieved anything. It's the first time in a play-off spot. I hope we enter the play-offs, because we deserve it. We are the leader of this championship return. I hope to be more relaxed, although there will be other goals.

We will have to finish in the top three. I am still unhappy with what is happening in the field. We had to come on a wave of confidence, after so many victories. The opponent is good, a team in the middle of the ranking for the play-offs. But the victory is a huge one. There were about 3-4 bars.

Now they're all coming back, coaches we didn't win with before, referees. Today I managed to beat a team with David Lazar in goal for the first time. When I saw him today…. Our popa was sensational.

(no about the phase from minute 90+5) I saw the phase well. I couldn't have any emotion, knowing who was at VAR (No. Bogdan Dumitrache and Ovidiu Hațegan). There is also pressure on them on this end. The pressure is also high on them”, said Daniel Pancu, after the match, quoted by digisport.ro.