Dynamo or Rapid? Tavi Popescu has chosen his possible opponent in the Conference League final

Ashley Davis25/04/2026

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Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Friday, April 24, 2026 11:08 p.m. / Updated Friday, April 24, 2026 11:13 p.m.

FCSB won 3-1 against Petrol. At the end of the game, Octavian Popescu, scorer after 354 days, spoke about the difficult period he went through, named the play-off team he wants for the Conference League qualification barrier, but also about the fact that he wanted to leave Gigi Becali's team.

In the 27th minute of the match between FCSB and Petrolul Ploiești, Octavian Popescu managed to break the negative streak, scoring the 2-0 goal. After an excellent recovery from a mistake by Paul Papp, he finished accurately with his right foot, sending the ball into the side netting. His last goal was on May 5, 2025, when he scored a “double” in the 3-1 victory in the derby against Dinamo Bucharest.

Octavian Popescu, after FCSB – Petrolul 3-1: “I didn't play that much”

After scoring the first goal of the season, Octavian Popescu explained how he managed to overcome the difficult period and talked about the lack of minutes this season:

“It's my first goal, but I haven't played long enough to score. I played for 5-10 minutes, but I'm glad I managed to score. Not necessarily that I was a starter helped me, but I trained a lot in the last month and I expected the goal to come. I'm on the right track, I also gave an assist there (no in the 3-2 victory with Farul) and a goal now and I hope to keep it that way.

I have no explanation for not playing more. I was in crisis for a year. We'll see if they overcome it, I can't tell after a game or two.

We can beat any team in the play-offs. I want Rapid at the dam. We worked on pressing yesterday in training and it worked,” said Popescu on “Digi Sport Special”.

VIDEO with the goal scored by Octavian Popescu in FCSB – Petrolul

Video source: Prima Sport 1

The left wing of the champion also spoke about the difficult moments he went through recently:

“I don't want to talk about Mirel Rădoi's departure, it's not my job to talk about the coach. We are a united team and we showed today. I think everyone around me helped me with advice and were by my side.

Yes, there were times when I wanted to leave. I gave up on the idea. I want to become a holder again“, concluded Octavian Popescu.