Article by Eduard Apostol, Cosmin Nistor – Published on Sunday, 19 April 2026 23:34 / Updated on Monday, 20 April 2026 00:13
Filipe Coelho, the coach of the University of Craiovaspoke about the victory at home with Rapid, score 1-0, a result that brings the team from Bănie back to first place, equal on points with Cluj University.
The Portuguese technician emphasized that the match was a difficult one, but mostly controlled by his team, also highlighting the decisive contribution of the supporters.
VIDEO. Filipe Coelho, after Craiova – Rapid 1-0: “I don't know who else can play in the semi-final of the Cup”
The Portuguese technician emphasized that the match was a difficult one, but mostly controlled by his team, also highlighting the decisive contribution of the supporters.
“A difficult game, as we expected, but I think we controlled the first half well. We had chances to score, we started the second half with Assad's goal and we had a few more chances to score against a strong opponent.
At the end of the game we had to suffer a little in the game, but it is part of the game and I am happy with the performance of the players. This win is essential for the fans. They were sensational how they supported us, they were the 12th player on the pitch, so I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
Coelho emphasized the importance of the points in this end of the season, but also the pressure of the busy calendar.
“All the points are important, there are 15 more to play for and we have to fight to get them. It was extraordinary what happened, emotional, but I know the fans love us and the minimum we can give is to fight for every point.”
Regarding the failure in the last stage, 0-4 at Cluj University, the Olten coach said that the team must look forward, leaving behind the unfortunate result:
“It wasn't a good result, it was a poor result. We have to learn from that result and we've already talked about that game. We have to look and think about the present and the future and put the past behind us.”
Filipe Coelho's dissatisfaction: “The period between matches is very small”
The technician also spoke about the extremely busy schedule of the team.
“The period between matches, from my point of view, is very small. I've already played 51 matches so far, so at the moment we're basically playing every 4 days and to be honest, I don't even know which players I will use or have available on Thursday with Dinamo.”
Filipe Coelho, about the new purchase: “I didn't bring him, the club”
The coach of Olten explained that he had a short talk with Alex Dobre, former captain of Rapid, but the interaction was one of courtesy.
“I spoke to Dobre in Portuguese, but nothing more. I wished her good luck and that was it.”
Regarding the new acquisition from Bănie, goalkeeper Joao Goncalves (25 years old), Coelho said that the decision was not entirely his, being taken at the club level, in the context of medical problems in the team.
“I think we need to talk about the game, but I didn't bring the goalkeeper, the club brought him. I work with what I have, but we tried to bring in another goalkeeper because Silviu Lung had other medical problems. We still had a 17-year-old goalkeeper, but that was the decision.
We'll see tomorrow how Popescu is, the medical team will do checks to see for the semi-final of the Cup, because now I don't know who can and who can't.”
Play-off standings
