Paul Papp, after FCSB – Petrolul 3-1: “They dominated us in all aspects! Two free goals, one from me too”
Article by Cezar Titor, Cosmin Nistor – Published Friday, April 24, 2026, 11:00 p.m. / Updated Friday, April 24, 2026, 11:00 p.m.
The defender acknowledged his opponent's superiority and took some of the blame for the result after what he described as a very poor performance.
Paul Papp, after FCSB – Petrolul 3-1: “They did not dominate in all chapters”
In the 27th minute, Octavian Popescu scored the 2-0 goal, after taking advantage of an error by Papp, former player of the red-blues in the period 2014-2016. At the end of the game, the Prahoven defender did not manage his team:
“I think we played a very poor game. FCSB speculated the spaces between the lines and I think that was the story of the game. I don't think I have much to comment on, they dominated us in every chapter and it was a worse day for us.
I said earlier, they dominated us in all chapters. Two free goals, one from me too. I apologize to my colleagues, I must be a man. Next week we have a match with UTA Arad and we have to forget this match as soon as possible.
I think it was a bad time for us. Football is made of moments. FCSB is in the play-outs, but it could be in the play-offs, it is a good play-off team. I'm angry, I'm disappointed, but that's it.”
Paul Papp: “We have to save ourselves”
Paul Papp also spoke about the pressure in the standings and the team's goal at the end of the season:
“We have been in the red zone of the standings since the beginning, since then we have been playing under pressure. We were coming after three stages in which we played good, very good games, but look, a worse stage is coming. I hope it will be a cold shower for us, to wake up. I'm sure it's not us, it's not me, but in football you still have a bad day. We must be men and fight to the end.
It was normal to be mysteriously nervous. At halftime, he told us that we weren't playing with courage, that we weren't motivated, that we weren't following the game plan, and he was right. After the match he told us that we have to go on, keep our heads up. We still have work to do, we have a few stages left and we have to save ourselves. I am firmly convinced that on Sunday, with UTA, we will look different.”
About Rădoi's departure from FCSB, Papp said: “I didn't expect Mirel Rădoi to leave FCSB. It was a surprise for me too and I wish him well“, said Papp in the flash interview from Digi Sport.
Play-out standings
