Article by Alexandru Barbu, Răzvan Stamatiu – Published Monday, April 27, 2026, 4:26 p.m. / Updated Monday, April 27, 2026, 4:27 p.m.
Enthusiastic about the positive result – Dinamo's first win with Rapid after 11 years -, Orac was however surprised by a decision made by Zeljko Kopic last night.
Costel Orac, intervention at GSP Live, after Dinamo – Rapid 3-1: “An important victory, 3 big points”
“I especially liked the way we won the game against Rapid, considering that we were coming after quite a few direct duels where we had not managed to get the 3 points. I was afraid that the same would not happen in this game, because the points were very important.
When I say that, I think that we are now closer to achieving this year's goal (no – qualification in European cups)“, declared Orac, at GSP Live.
It was difficult for him to choose the “man of the match”. Because “there are more players who usually make the difference, I mean names like Cirjan, Musial. And to the defenders, because they maintained the balance and gave safety to those in front”.
“I was surprised that Zeljko Kopic left Cîrjan in reserve”he added.
“But taking into account the fact that it was also Thursday's game, from the Romanian Cup… Moreover, quite a few stages have passed, and Cîrjan was on the field all the time, and it is logical that fatigue should appear. In general, attacking players who can make a difference have a much higher consumption than defensive players, who have the whole game in front of them. They don't make such an intense effort”, adds Costel Orac.
8 goalsand 6 decisive assists Cîrjan managed for Dinamo this season (40 appearances). He also scored last night when he came off the bench
“It's good that they are forcing Pušcaș”
George Pușcaș is starting to get more and more minutes at Dinamo. Currently, no success.
“It's good that Zeljko Kopic is forcing him, because he's about the only “classic tip” we have available at the moment. He lends himself to combinations, he has a good head game. It is clear that he had to be forced to be able to help the team“, Orac considers.
On Karamoko's absence, Orac states that “it will be hard without him. But we have Armstrong, Musi. I mean, Soro can play there too. Of course, with other qualities and possibilities. Karamoko performed very well, especially in the lane. When the «pushed tip» was used, it did not yield, it is not his post. He is a technical player, who easily eliminates opponents and who can create superiority. It's very, very useful.”
What Costel Orac says about the system with 3 central defenders tried by Kopic
Kopic has used a 3-stopper module in the last two games. Orac expected Zeljko to have the initiative sooner: “I was surprised he didn't try to change the system, because he hadn't accumulated any points. Of course, knowing what players he has at his disposal, I suspect that he found the right moment to put it into practice and it gave results”.
Costel Orac is 3 times champion of Romania with Dinamo (1982, 1983, 1984)
A tie with FCSB for qualification in Europe is plausible. I would like to be in Europe, it doesn't matter if directly or after the dam. We have to think and do everything that depends on us to return to the European cups. That's the football we like and we have to figure out if we're ready to get there and stay there
– Costel Oracat GSP Live
