Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Friday, March 13, 2026 10:59 p.m. / Updated Friday, March 13, 2026 11:42 p.m.
FC Argeș overturned the paper calculations and defeated Craiova University, leader of the ranking, score 1-0right at the “Ion Oblemenco” stadium, in a surprise from the first stage of the play-off.
After the match, Adel Bettaieb, the author of the only goal, Vadim Rață and captain Mario Tudose spoke about the important success achieved in Bănie.
Adel Bettaieb, after Craiova – FC Argeș 0-1: “It's not easy to score in Craiova”
In the 26th minute, Bettaieb scored a spectacular goal, after receiving a pass from midfielder Vadim Rață. The only scorer of the game on “Oblemenco” spoke about the success achieved by his team:
“It was amazing. We are happy to be playing in the play-offs and we want to show that we are not here for nothing. We are happy that we won. For us it was like the other matches, we gave our best. Maybe it's different, it's not easy to play in Craiova and register. I can't explain the gap right now, but it's about execution.
It's only the beginning of the play-offs, there are 9 games left. They are strong teams. We will do the same as in the regular season. I didn't change anything, that's how I played all season. The important thing is to give 100% in every match”, said Bettaieb, at Prima Sport.
Vadim Rața: “I make a comparison with Leicester”
And Vadim Rață, the author of the decisive assist, commented on the victory and made a comparison with Leicester City, the team that surprisingly won the Premier League in the 2015-2016 season, from the newly promoted position.
“We are happy. We prepared all week, we analyzed the opponent tactically. We stayed well in the field and I don't think they had goal phases, we stopped them very well today.
We knew they were a very strong team that attacked in lanes. That's what we tried to prepare in training, but at the same time we press high, and that's how our game came about. We are a hardworking team and that is important to us.
If I may make a comparison with Leicester, the same, with a striker like Jamie Vardy up front and quick players in the lanes, we try to do as they did. We don't think about the championship, but we take each match individually.
Up front we really have players with extraordinary executions. In training he executes the same and puts the ball in the threads. All the boys in the attack have extraordinary executions and we owe this place to these executions as well” said Duck.
We knew we were facing a good team. Certainly, Craiova will fight in the championship until the end. We are the second team to win here and we are happy for this win. We're in the top 6 now, we've climbed the rankings, but we're taking it game by game, step by step. It is hard to say that you are fighting in the championship, there are 9 matches left and we hope to get as many points as possible.
We had attitude, we fought for every ball, as we do every game, and I think that's our asset. We are a hardworking team. It was a big load, their fans put the pressure on, but I think the pressure got to them and they didn't do very well.
Most didn't give us a chance to even get into the play-offs, let alone pick up any points here. We try to detach ourselves from what people say, that we are here to lose matches. We take it match by match and it shows.
After every victory, Mr. President has a good reward for us. We try to get as much out as possible, of course. We are the second team to win here and I think we deserve it.
– Mario Tudose, the captain of Argeș
Play-off standings
