Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Friday, 24 April 2026, 00:18 / Updated Friday, 24 April 2026 00:24
Zeljko Kopic, the coach of the Dinamooffered the first conclusions, after the “dogs” were eliminated from the Romanian Cup by University of Craiova1-4 in penalty kicks, 1-1 at the end of 120 minutes.
The Croatian coach explained his tactical decisions and talked about the difficulties he encountered during the match.
Zeljko Kopic reacted after Dinamo missed qualifying for the Romanian Cup final: “We couldn't press in the last minutes”
“That's the bottom line. We fought for 120 minutes plus penalties. Everyone has feelings about the game. By half-time we made two forced changes and it affected our game idea and pressing.
Mărginean was very important to win duels and help the pressing. At half-time we made a change to change the system, because they were sending balls between the lines. We were good in the second half. Then I changed Pușcaș who forced himself a lot, then I did all 5. Craiova made the changes later and they were fresher.
It was noticeable that they had good energy. We tried to bring balance with Cristi Mihai, that cross came and we got a goal.
First of all I thought about the club and the supporters after this defeat. They supported us, had great energy for 120 minutes. The club, the supporters are with the players and that's important. Everyone is connected by emotion. It's hard for me and for everyone to concede a goal two minutes before the end.
It was clear that in the last minutes when there was no energy left, we could not press. They had more energy, you had to defend and we just didn't. I got goal. It's not about blaming anyone or the fact that I'm disappointed, but it's the end result that counts. We had several matches where we were unlucky and we can say that we have today as well. Injuries, changes. You can prepare everything, but football is made of things you cannot control. That was the last few minutes.
Lack of concentration comes from fatigue. The mental part is very important. Everyone knows what to do at that moment, but when you play for 120 minutes mistakes can happen.
When you concede a goal, it hurts morale because you lose something in the last two or three minutes. We analyze all the players, and if I were to make the list again I would start with Danny (no penalty kicks), he has scored at the clubs he has been to, even here,” said Zeljko Kopic in the flash interview on the Fotbal Club show on Digi Sport.
