In a ranking of the play-off teams based on the direct results between the formations that will evolve in the top 6, the University of Craiova keeps its first place, being undefeated in the duels with the other 5 opponents. Rapid is also on 2, FC Argeș on 3, CFR Cluj on 4, Dinamo on 5, while U Cluj is on 6
That's it, the real fight for the title of champion in the Super League, the 2025/2026 edition, starts tonight! Five points. It is the distance between the first place, Universitatea Craiova, and the last team in the play-off, FC Argeș. The two open the ball tonight, from 20:30, on “Ion Oblemenco”.
The Juves kept and defended their position, Rapid is in the white-blues' fold, CFR Cluj grew incredibly (11 consecutive victories in L1) and U Cluj impressively. Dinamo is on the slide, after three failures in a row, and FC Argeș continues to make surprises.
Craiova, without failure with the play-off teams! “Surprise” U Cluj
A ranking of the play-off teams based on the results between them during the regular season keeps the top 6 line. With a big surprise: in direct matches, FC Argeș (newly promoted) would be on the podium, while U Cluj has the worst direct results!
The Oltenians also lead this ranking, being the only team that did not lose in direct duels with those they will fight directly for the title. CFR Cluj and Dinamo scored 12 points each, but the Transylvanians have a better “goal leverage”, 15-16 compared to 9-12.
Here's where it stands after the curtain went down on the regular season:
1. University of Craiova – 18 points (FC Argeș (3-1/2-1), U Cluj (2-1/0-0), CFR Cluj (3-2/1-1), Dinamo (2-2/1-1), Rapid (2-2/1-1);
2. Rapid – 16 points (FC Argeș (2-0/2-0), CFR Cluj (1-1/0-3), U Cluj (0-0/0-2), Dinamo (2-0/2-1), U Craiova (2-2/1-1);
3. FC Arges – 13 points (Rapid (0-2/0-2), U Craiova (1-3/1-2), CFR Cluj (2-0/3-0), U Cluj (1-0/1-3), Dinamo (1-1/1-0);
4. CFR Cluj – 12 points (Rapid (1-1/3-0), FC Argeș (0-2/0-3), U Craiova (2-3/1-1), U Cluj (2-2/3-2), Dinamo (1-2/2-0);
5. Dinamo – 12 points (U Cluj (1-0/1-0), U Craiova (2-2/1-1), Rapid (0-2/1-2), FC Argeș (1-1/0-1), CFR Cluj (2-1/0-2);
6. U Cluj – 9 points (U Craiova (1-2/0-0), Dinamo (0-1/0-1), Rapid (0-0/2-0), FC Argeș (0-1/3-1), CFR Cluj (2-2/2-3).
What happened at the start of the 2024/2025 play-off
Last season, in the play-offs, FCSB was the title champion, not FC Argeș. And it was a walk in the park for the red and blue team. Although, at the time, a real tournament for the Superliga title was being announced.
Here's how the standings looked before the first play-off round:
1. FCSB 55 p
2. CFR Cluj 54 p
3. Craiova 52 p
4. U Cluj 52 p
5. Dynamo 51 p
6. Rapid 46 p
Zeljko Kopic, the longest-serving play-off coach
Even if Dinamo is in free fall, failures on the line with Rapid, with FC Argeș and with CFR Cluj, Zeljko Kopic continues to believe in his team's chances. The “Dogs” are in the play-offs and semi-finals of the Romanian Cup for the second time in a row, where they will face the University of Craiova.
Kopic, 48, is the longest-tenured coach in the playoffs. He has been in office since December 1, 2023. He is surpassed at the League 1 level only by Robert Ilyeș (in office at Csikszereda since March 19, 2023). The longevity podium in the first league is completed by Bogdan Andone (as of September 23, 2024).
