Article by Marius Mărgărit, Maria Olteanu – Published Saturday, March 21, 2026 10:40 p.m. / Updated Saturday, March 21, 2026 11:13 p.m.
FC Arges – U Cluja game counting for the second stage of the Superliga play-off, was decided by an own goal in the 82nd minute by the goalkeeper Cătălin Căbuz, just a few minutes away from when he found out that he was called up by the selector Mircea Lucescu to the national team, for the play-off with Turkey. Cluj won 1-0 and tied Craiova at the top of the Superliga.
At the end of an ugly match, with no chances, which was heading for a clean draw, U Cluj struck Mioveni, through a blunder by the hosts' goalkeeper, who fought a “home” pass.
The 2nd stage of the play-off ended this evening in Mioveni, with the dispute between the revelation FC Argeș, the performer of the first round, victorious in the fief of the leader, and U Cluj, which produced the first crack in the impenetrable CFR.
Chronicle by Marius Mărgărit. Oops Cabuz!
In an arena fuller than ever, with revived hopes, for a team that had died a little, but somehow found the elixir of coming back to life, even among the giants. Exciting moments, the kick-off belonged to the eternal goalscorer, Radu II, who was also accompanied by Gica, the wife of the icon Nicolae “Gâscanu” Dobrin.
From the first whistle, however, all traces of pleasantries and festivities disappeared. Strong duels were played on the lawn, in plain sight, from the first seconds. Which Marcel Bârsan managed to manage without breaking the bank.
Gray football, white tie
U Cluj pressed the accelerator first. He had the ball, the dominance, the initiative, even a huge opportunity. The irresistible Macalou penetrated deep on the right, crossed powerfully, but Lukic, almost from the goal line, caught a little in front, hit the ball better than… Garutti.
Only after a quarter of an hour, FC Argeș, newly promoted and dreaming of the title, started to appear a bit more often in the opposing half, a sign that the emotions of the first play-off match “at home” had passed.
It was clear that Transylvania would have the ball, and Pitesti would bet on the counter. Otherwise, tactical organization with double lane blocking, antidote to the unpredictable Macalou and Mendy.
So with U, even though he had possession, it started to get harder and harder towards Căbuz's box. A battle between the two squares, a deadlocked match, without spectacle or opportunities. After more than half an hour, both goalkeepers were out of action. And it would stay that way. Nothing notable apart from Lukic's huge opportunity in the 10th minute.
Towards the end of the half, Chinteș had to leave the field, injured. A double blow for Bergodi. Having to use the underdog El Sawy, but also give up a winger, Mendy, for another left back, Miguel Silva. U Cluj lost a cannon mouth, the versatile French from the left lane. Given that Lukic didn't show any signs that it would be too busy a day.
Towards the end, Sadriu had a chance, after a corner, but Bic retreated perfectly and removed the danger. As U Cluj had no ideas, and FC Argeș exploded, a half of gray football came out, which could only end like this, with a white draw and many unanswered expectations from the lawn. That's what it's like when you're more focused on points and the basic plan is not to lose, rather than to win.
The cabuz factor
From the booths, Radescu, who burned without brilliance between the two squares, gave his place to Moldoveanu. An attempt by Bogdan Andone to add color to the offense. But the Transylvanians were the first to be more dangerous, Lukic sending over from a “scissors” in the middle of the box.
However, Pitesti started higher and started the half, putting pressure not only in the opposing half, but even in the box. But the game was the same, fragmented, extremely poor football.
Pitches, batted balls, few phases with some build up. This was the football scene in Mioveni after a little more than an hour of play, at the end of which the score was 0-1 for shots on goal. More of a pass to the goalkeeper by Macalou, in the first half.
Moldoveanu came up with a reply for Lukic, also with a “scissors” that also went past the target. But apart from balancing the dispute and possession, being more present in the last third of the opposition, FC Argeș could do no more.
And U Cluj showed no signs of being willing or even capable of trying anything more. A clinch like between two fighters who can't keep your grips to try something. Any. Each was waiting for the other's mistake.
VIDEO with Cătălin Căbuz's own goal, which made the difference in the match
And the blunder, a difficult one to watch, came. In the 83rd minute, Borța gave a pass home, on the edge of the grass, from over 40 meters, and Căbuz, barely called up to the national team, without being pressured, committed it as is rarely seen.
He wanted to clear from the first, the ball bounced wildly from his left boot, the goalkeeper struggled with his right and watched helplessly as the ball stopped in the net. Out of nothing. And towards the end, when little could be done. And yet, after the last changes, Oancea had a chance, a superb diagonal volley, which met the bar. When you're unlucky…
The worst match so far in the play-offs was decided by such a blunder. U Cluj equals Universitatea Craiova on points and climbs to the first place in the provisional hierarchy, although after an inglorious victory, with luck. And FC Argeș is left with nothing but also with the dilemma that maybe if they had tried harder, they really could have come up with something. When you play at zero…
FINAL » FC Arges – U Cluj 0-1
90th minute: Bar FC Argeș fixed before entering extra time. Dorinel Oancea takes a spectacular shot from long range, but fails to restore the tie
The 81st minute: GOAL U Cluj! Amazing phase at Mioveni! Cătălin Căbuz picks up the ball sent by Borța badly, does not place the ball properly, feels the pressure of Lukic, who was approaching, and sends it effectively, with his back to the goal, directly into his own net. A phase that has not been seen before this season, and Bergodi's students are the leaders in the Superliga with this score
Minute 70: Robert Moldoveanu tries “a scissor”, but sends it a little wide and the scoreboard doesn't change this time either
Break at Mioveni! The two teams enter the cabins tied, score 0-0
The 42nd minute: The first shot on goal of the game, easily saved by Căbuz, the goalkeeper who was urgently called up to the national team just before the start of this game, after Mihai Popa became unavailable
The 38th minute: Change to U Cluj. Bergodi is forced to move before the break. Chinteș leaves the field on a stretcher, with great problems, and his place is taken by El Sawy.
Minute 10: Great opportunity for the University of Cluj. Lukic, in front of the goal, found by Macalou, sent outside the field, although he had the chance to put the ball in the net
👉🏻 GSP analysis: Why U Cluj is a clear candidate for the title: here are the numbers that prove the statement!
👉🏻 GSP.ro revealed the other day that FC Argeș submitted its documentation for the European Cup license. If they qualify in the preliminaries, the “purple eagles” would play in Craiova, on “Oblemenco”.
FC Argeș – Cluj University, starting teams:
FC Arges: Cab – Garutti, Tudose, Sadriu – Tofan, V. Rața, Sierra, Borța – Radescu, Matos, Bettaieb
Reserves: Straton, Crăciun, Idowu, Micovschi, Manole, Brobbey, Seto, Blagaic, Pîrvu, Oancea, Moldoveanu, Briceag
Coach: Bogdan Andone
Cluj University: Gertmonas – Mikanovic, I. Cristea, Coubis, Chinteș – Bic – Drammeh, Nistor – Macalou, Lukic, Mendy
Reserves: Lefter, Capradossi, Cisse, Chipciu, M. Silva, Stanojev, Murgia, Codrea, El Sawy, Gheorghiță, Fabry, Postolachi
Coach: Cristiano Bergodi
Referee: Marcel Bîrsan (Bucharest) / A1: Radu Adrian Ghinguleac (Bucharest) / A2: Ionuț Traian Neacșu (Bucharest) / VAR referee: Iulian Dima (Bucharest) / Referee AVAR: Claudiu Marcu (Constanța) / R1: Horia Mladinovici (Bucharest) / Observer referees: Adrian Comănescu (Râmnicu Vâlcea)
Stadium: Townspeople, Mioveni
