“Be healthy! I don't care, I want to be here first”

Nicușor Bancu spoke about the match at the “1 Mai” stadium, then he was asked about the national team and the World Championship play-off semi-final against Turkey. In the conditions where Raul Opruț from Dinamo gives him serious competition, the holder until now came with a statement that raises questions: “I want to be here in the first place, I am not interested in anything else”

Nicușor Bancu reacted after Unirea Slobozia – Universitatea Craiova: “Well done to Opruț! May he be healthy, as many goals as possible!”

“We were kept on the ground after the hellish period with three very difficult matches. Mister kept us motivated and that mattered a lot. If we didn't have attitude, seriousness, the fate of the match was different. I'm glad that we understood what was asked of us and we deserved this victory.

These matches are the hardest. You win championships by beating smaller opponents on paper. Last years we didn't do that and I think it showed because we didn't meet our goals. This year we did that and it shows: we are in 1st place.

I pushed myself, maybe it wasn't a penalty in the second phase, but it was a penalty in the first phase. Those in the VAR room, I don't know, I think they came later and didn't see the camera. After that maybe they came and saw. He could change the fate of the match that phase. It's something incredible. I don't know how I don't see these things.

Now we are getting better and more mature. We try to be a homogeneous team, motivate ourselves from match to match and keep the group together. Many don't play anymore because we don't have a game every three days anymore. It is important that those who enter help us. Mister knows how to keep everyone motivated. It would be difficult otherwise”, said Bancu, during the flash-interview on the Fotbal Club show on Digi Sport.

Asked about the Romanian national team and the competition for the position with Opruț, the Craiova captain seemed disturbed:

“Bravo to Opruț! May he be healthy, as many goals as possible. I want to be here in the first place, nothing else interests me.

I am very happy, I heard what Mr. Lucescu said. I'm glad he's with us. If I will be there, I don't know, mystery knows best, we will try to do the best job and qualify.”

• Nicușor Bancu has 32 matches this season for Craiova University and three decisive assists. It is quoted by specialized websites at one million euros. Nicușor Bancu has 50 matches for the national team and scored 2 goals

• Raul Opruț had a good season at Dinamo, but starting with the calendar year 2026, the left-back from Dinamo started to find himself more and more on the scoreboard. This season he has 31 games, 6 goals and two assists. It is quoted by specialized websites at 1.7 million euros. Raul Opruț has 5 matches for the national team