the scenario he rules out before the crucial match with the Steel

Chipciu did not want to insist much on the calculations and discussions that appeared in the press, saying that more would affect him.

For U Cluj, the calculations are simple: 3 points with Steel tomorrow night or at least a draw with FCSB in the last round and qualification is settled regardless of other results. And before this match, Gigi Becali puts all his hopes in Oțelul, so that then FCSB will have a direct match with U Cluj, for a place in the play-off, right in Bucharest. The owner of the champion is of the opinion that U Cluj would be the easiest to remove from a place in the top 6, to make room for his team.

Chipciu wants to ignore the pressure coming from Gigi Becali

“Well, we take U Cluj out. Galațiul must draw with them and we take them out in the direct matches. Yes, the most important match is this one, Oțelul with U Cluj. It's the most important because it's direct, that is, if they draw, we're on our hands after that, we have no more work to do. And then Dinamo should be sidelined with FC Argeș”, said Becali, to Fanatik, before the game on Friday evening.

Asked if he believes that U Cluj is seen as an outsider, Chipciu replied:

“I tried to avoid such statements, to look at them. Somehow, I think I got used to this style. Abnormality already seems normal to me, and at some point these things don't affect you anymore. I don't want to think about them, be aware of them and try to look for an ideal in the things that should have been in Romania, because we see this in our whole society. From politics, football is also clearly related to society as so many people are involved.

Well, that's life. This is life in Romania. If you compare yourself to the championships in the West… There you never see any statement, you only see what the coaches and players say after the matches, how the coaches felt about the tactics they had”, said Chipciu, at the press conference.

The match is very important. I think it's as important as all the games so far. Indeed, three points tomorrow would mathematically secure us a place in the play-offs and would be an important goal to achieve, but I think the abort must also be the same as it has been so far and the same as in the past games.

Because if you put too much pressure on your head in a match like this and you want the win at any cost, it is possible to make mistakes and I think we will approach the match very calmly and aware that three points will take us where we want. We have one more match against FCSB. And the opponents have to play each other, that is, you and in the event that you did not win, you can qualify for the play-off without having any points left. Many calculations that are not good at all.

– Alex Chipciu, U Cluj player

Chipciu, about Gino's controversial statements: “If Metaloglobius was in the play-offs now, I just wouldn't take it out”

Afterwards, Chipciu tried to find an explanation for Gino Iorgulescu's message. The head of the LPF “dynamited” the Superliga, with two stages before the end, in a key point of the season, in which 7 teams fight for 3 play-off places.

“I think, I know, he thought it in the idea that for sure, if FCSB is not in the play-offs, having 4-5 million fans, for the play-offs it's a minus, and for the marketing and everything that happens around the play-offs. But at the same time, they have to receive what you do on the field.

If Metaloglobius was in the play-offs now, we just didn't take it out because we wanted to take it out?! But, as I said, all possible things happened in Romania. I mean, football cannot be an exception to this. As I said, I personally tried to stay away from any kind of statements and what is discussed in the press and on TV because they hurt you and annoy you and you will not be able to play at the level you need to.

I think that's what everyone should do, avoid such statements because there is also pressure, I know, with the intention of charging the team and cracking in such moments as the match with Oțelul.

And if I remember well last year when I was in first place for 18 stages, somehow external pressure was constantly coming. Because the referees help us, I don't know what, until somehow they make you gather this madness, especially in Romania, where you see one refereeing mistake compensated by another and so on. And now what do we have to do, let's compensate Farul and then let the CFR be compensated?! It's an anomaly what's happening, but that's life,” said Chipciu, referring to Gino Iorgulescu's statements.

Chipciu, asked head-on: “External financial motivation, do you still believe in such a thing? A 'Suitcase 2' case, do you think it's possible in Romanian football?”

Then, the Cluj University player was asked directly if he thinks that in 2026 there are still tables and arrangements being made at the level of the first league, especially in the context of the scandal that broke out in Păulești.

“I'm usually against everything or you say conspiracy theories. I'm against it from the start. In this case I'd say that nowadays, though, it's kind of hard to do that.

Let someone come and give you money, reward you for playing fair. Okay, okay. Steel in this case is a team that needs points. They need to score points to survive in League 1. I mean, I don't think there would be a problem with them not being motivated tomorrow.

So, in that way, I think it's very hard to do. And the one who would like to give money, to go to prison, it seems that you don't really want to, especially if you have a lot of money.

And at the same time those who take. I saw this morning with League 3 betting, so on, I don't know, it puts you in some embarrassing situations and it affects your whole reputation and your whole life from now on.

I, personally, and if I received a prize, I wouldn't want to take the money or, and if I ever thought about taking it, I would have given it, I know, to bitter children, if someone still wants to throw the money away.

It's just that, once again, I find it hard to believe that this thing can happen. You can still think, I know, to buy a player, to pay more in the future. Crazy people like that, but I don't think that anyone takes responsibility either from those who want to give, or from those who should take. Because it would be a shame, in my opinion, to do this,” explained Chipciu.

Chipciu saw the images of Gabi Matei in handcuffs on GSP and reacted

And finally he talked about the images posted by GSP.ro, with Gabi Matei (36 years old), who was brought in handcuffs to the Prosecutor's Office next to the Ploiești Court.

“Yes, I saw Gabi Matei. Dramatic. That's what I also felt in the morning when I saw the images. At the same time, it seems totally absurd to me that bookmakers place bets on matches from the 3rd League.

It's clear that at this level, I know, financially and probably educationally, you're tempted to do these things and you don't know why these things are perpetuated. I'm against betting, sure, but I feel sorry for him.

I hope he is innocent in this whole investigation and nothing is true. I want these things to go away, and frankly, lower league games are clearly a song. Let us be in the position where, I know, you have a life where you no longer end up paying bills, debts and so on and be in the position of taking 30 times the money. Now we are the best at talking, but when you are there you don't know if you are still the same”, concluded Chipciu.

The current Superliga standings