Article by Adrian Duţă – Published Thursday, April 16, 2026 10:58 p.m. / Updated Thursday, April 16, 2026 11:42 p.m.
Daniel Pancu, the coach from CFR Cluj, prefaced the duel with FC Argeș in a press conference and said how he was punished by Andres Șfaiț, after the player's nervous exit from the previous stage.
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FC Argeș – CFR Cluj, in stage #5 of the play-off, takes place on Friday, from 20:30. The match will be liveTEXT on GSP.ro and transmitted on Prima Sport 1 and Digi Sport 1
After not getting a single minute in CFR Cluj – Dinamo 1-1, Șfaiț threw his boots on the bench. Pancu was disturbed by the attitude of the extreme and sent the 21-year-old player to the youth team. He announced that he will return to the first team squad on Monday.
Daniel Pancu: “Şfaiț trained with the youth team this week”
“Şfaît trained with the youth team this week. Very likely, he will be back with us from Monday. He is a young player, and young players are more rebellious in their own way.
But he will understand eventually. I haven't had a discussion with him, I will after this match,” said Daniel Pancu, at the press conference.
Andres Şfaiț/ photo Imago Images
Daniel Pancu: “It's a decisive match, because it's possible that I'm the only crazy person who still thinks about the championship”
About the duel with FC Argeș, the Transylvanian coach said: “We have to score a goal, first of all. It's 5-0 for them in two games. They beat us without any right of appeal. A team that concedes goals hard, well organized, with a coach who has been with the team for almost two years. That's my disadvantage when I meet teams with senior coaches.
It's a decisive match, because I may be the only crazy person who still thinks about the championship. Nothing is finished. We need to approach the play-off return with more confidence, to have another winning streak“.
If I were talking about 3rd place or 4th place, we would definitely finish 6th. Balance is needed. I still believe in winning the title
Daniel Pancu, CFR Cluj coach
Daniel Pancu: “Fast? It's a subject that doesn't exist”
Daniel Pancu was asked about the information that he could go to Rapid, denying vehemently that he had discussed with the people from Giulești.
“This topic does not exist. Over two stages we go to Giulesti to play a possible decisive match for the 3rd place. So it is a topic that does not exist.
There isn't, so I have nothing to comment on. I am 1000% focused on achieving the goal at CFR Cluj, because I really want to achieve it and continue here“, declared Pancu.
There is very little difference between the teams. A red card, as it was at U Cluj with Craiova and so on. Unfortunately, the decisive moment was the goal conceded by U Cluj in the last minute. It was the moment that tipped the scales in their favor and against us. He certainly wouldn't have had this path again, and we would have been different.
– Daniel Pancu, CFR Cluj coach
Daniel Pancu, about Slimani's departure: “It no longer made sense”
Pancu was also questioned on the subject of Islam Slimani. CFR Cluj announced this week that it has terminated the Algerian striker's contract.
“It no longer made sense to keep Slimani, because the only motivation for a legendary player in his country was just to play. I really didn't see its usefulness, its purpose, I think it's a decision that pleases everyone, even him. If he could help it, he would have played more.
His experience helped us, but you can't do it like that. At his age, tone comes only from games. It's hard to train very well. Only one is Deac, who is an example for everyone. Slimani was the opposite of Deac,” said Pancu.
Islam Slimani. PHOTO: Imago Images
Play-off standings
