LIVE Craiova University – Dinamo, in the 7th stage of the Superliga play-off: the teams

After facing each other in the semi-finals of the Romanian Cup, when Craiova University dramatically qualified in penalty kicks, the two rivals face off again, this time in the championship, in an extremely important match for both teams.

Olteni are tied with U Cluj at the top of the Superliga, but have a game in hand. While Dinamo continues the race for a place that will lead to the European cups.

University of Craiova – Dinamo, live from 21:00

Craiova University – Dinamo, probable teams

Craiova University (3-4-3): L. Popescu – Romanchuk, A. Rus, Screciu – Mora, Cicâldău, Mekvabishvili, Bancu – D. Matei, Al Hamlawi, Teles
Reserves: Joao Pedro, Glodean, Fl. Stefan, Stevanovic, Badelj, Mogos, Al. Crețu, Băsceanu, Baiaram, M. Rădulescu, Nsimba
Coach: Filipe Coelho

Dinamo (3-5-2): Epassy – Boateng, Duțu, Stoinov – Sivis, Soro, Gnahore, Cîrjan, Opruț – Pușcaş, Armstrong
Reserves: Roșca – Musi, Milanov, Mazilu, Bordușanu, Cr. Mihai, Tarbă, Caragea, Toader, Țicu, Al. Pop
Absent: Marginean, Karamoko, Ikoko (injured)
Coach: Zeljko Kopic

Referee: Szabolcs Kovacs // Assistants: Mihai Marica, Adrian Vornicu
VAR Referee: Cătălin Popa // Assistant VAR: Lucian Rusandu

“Oblemenco” will be “volcano” for real!

According to GSP information, around 27,000-28,000 spectators will attend the derby between the University and Dinamo. On Saturday evening, only a few hundred tickets were still available on the club's online platform.

268,890 spectators were gathered by the University of Craiova in the 18 championship matches played this season, the second leader in the Superleague hierarchy.

We are playing against a good team that is coming to get the victory in the championship. We know they can play in different systems, they have players who can unbalance any defence. In the last match, they had two great opportunities from two corners, and scored on one. They are very good at fixed phases.

A team that has a good dynamic, likes to have possession. We know them very well, but they also know us. Determination will decide the match. We must not lose our concentration even for a second. It's the most important match, the other is in the past. It doesn't matter anymore.

– Filipe Coelho, coach University of Craiova

We don't prepare the match as if it has more pressure than another. There are no big differences between how we prepare the matches in terms of motivation, the players are not children, we fight, we know what we are for. The pressure is there, but it is part of everyday life at Dinamo”, said Zeljko Kopic, at the press conference.

The stakes are huge for both teams. A victory for the University of Craiova would strengthen the leader's seat, while a success for the Bucharesters would rekindle hopes for a ranking on the Superliga podium.

– Zeljko Kopic, Dinamo coach

Live standings from the Superliga play-off

Craiova University has 42 points before this match, tied with U Cluj, which has one more match. With a win, they would reach 45 points. On the other side, Dinamo has 34 points and is in 4th place. And with a win, they will consolidate their 4th place and tie CFR Cluj (3rd place), who play Rapid (5th place) on Monday.

The best statistics before the University of Craiova – Dinamo

• Craiova University is the team with the most victories at home – 13. What's more, the Oltenians scored at least one goal in 17 of the 18 matches played at home.

• February 4, 2026, Farul-Dinamo 2-3 was the last success scored by the Bucharesters in the Super League as visitors. Two away draws and three defeats followed.

• Nine of the 16 goals scored by the Craiova players in fixed phases were scored following corners.

• 34 of the 51 goals scored by the Dynamo team were scored in the second half, 15 of which after the 75th minute.

• They are the teams with the best average possession in this play-off (6 stages), Dinamo 55%, Universitatea Craiova – 54.5%.

• Only 102 shots were fired on the goal area of ​​the Oltenians during the entire season, the fewest of all 16 competitors. Universitatea Craiova is followed in the top by Dinamo – 117 shots on goal.

• Three players from each camp have more than 10 offensive contributions in the current edition: Ștefan Baiaram – 13 (7 goals, 6 decisive assists), Steven Nsimba – 12 (9 goals, 3 decisive assists), Assad Al-Hamlawi – 11 (9 goals, 2 assists), respectively Cătălin Cîrjan – 13 (7 goals, 6 decisive assists), Daniel Armstrong – 13 (6 goals, 7 assists) and Alexandru Musi – 11 (6 goals, 2 assists, 3 penalties taken and converted by another colleague).

• 14,938 is the average number of spectators per match recorded by the University of Craiova in the current season, the 1st place in this chapter.

• Since the return of football from Craiova to the first stage in 2014, the two teams have met in the main domestic competition 27 times, 14 times the Olten team won, four times they defeated the Bucharest team, and nine other games ended in a draw.

• The last match in the Superliga without a goal scored: March 19, 2017, with the red-whites as hosts.

• August 24, 2024, Dinamo-Universitatea Craiova 2-1 is the only success achieved by the people of Bucharest in the last 15 direct disputes in the championship, during which the blue-and-whites won 11 times.

• The most recent confrontation in the first league: March 19, 2026, Dinamo-Universitatea Craiova 0-1, goal scored by Monday Etim.