Article by Adrian Duţă – Published Monday, February 16, 2026, 1:44 p.m. / Updated Monday, February 16, 2026, 1:44 p.m.
Former international great Iosif Rotariu (63 years old) analyzed the derby Craiova University – FCSB 1-0 for Gazeta Sporturilor and declared himself impressed by the game.
The legend of Stela sees Craiova as the favorite for the title and praised the Olteni for their performance against the Romanian champions. On an individual level, he declared himself delighted with Assad Al Hamlawi, the scorer of Sunday's only goal, and Carlos Mora, the blue-and-white right-back.
The midfielder who gave Diego Maradona a hard time at the 1990 World Cup believes that FCSB has a problem in the central area and declared that Adrian Șut is a big loss for the red-blues. The closer was sold to Al-Ain this winter.
Iosif Rotariu: “Craiova has the best team in League 1”
– How are you in Craiova – FCSB?
– It was a match of a very high level, perhaps one of the best matches of this championship season. Two very well-organized, strong teams, with valuable teams, but I think that in the end the team that had more determination, organization and, in the end, I think also value, won, because at the moment I think that Craiova University has the most valuable team in League 1.
– So here the difference was practically made, at the team level.
– At the team level, yes. Not individually, at the team level. Craiova is very well organized, very strong, won the physical contacts 1 against 1. So here is Craiova's plus.
– Who impressed you, did you like someone last night in particular?
– In general, I liked the whole team, I don't really want to name names now, but I especially liked the striker from Craiova who scored the goal, Assad, and the right back, the midfielder, Mora. I really liked it a lot.
Iosif Rotariu: “Adrian Șut is a big loss for FCSB”
– Do you think that at FCSB there was also a problem in the middle?
– For the time being, they still haven't managed to cover the departure of Adrian Șut. Whatever players came in, they didn't measure up to Șut. I think that's where their minus is.
– So it's a big loss Shoot
– Yes, it's a big loss for them in midfield. They were unable to find a replacement.
Iosif Rotariu: “FCSB still has a chance in the play-offs. Craiova is the favorite for the title”
– Do you think FCSB still have a chance at the play-offs with three stages left? Do they have matches with Metaloglobus, UTA and U Cluj?
– Well, it has a chance, because it is a very valuable team and has national team players, so it can win all three matches. Now I think it also depends on the results of other teams. For now, FCSB is no longer in her hands, but she has a chance, naturally, she has to play to the end, the former champion.
– Who do you see as the favorite for the title, how do things look today?
– Well, as things look now, I think the University of Craiova. It has a very valuable and numerical batch, it has solutions from the reserve bank. At the present time they look the best from a footballing point of view. In the play-offs, with the points halved, every game will be like a final. But at the present time Craiova looks the best.
VIDEO with the goal scored by Assad in Craiova – FCSB
