Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Monday, 04 May 2026 23:23 / Updated Monday, 04 May 2026 23:23
Rapid lost the duel with CFR Cluj, score 1-2, in stage #7 from the Superliga play-off. At the end of the game, the Giulești goalkeeper, Marian Aioani, spoke about the team's performance, but also about the tense situation he was in before and during the match.
Rapid's goalkeeper was apostrophized by the supporters since the warm-up, in the context of the dissatisfaction that arose after the lost derby with Dinamo, where he was accused of forcing the return even though he was injured. Throughout the match with CFR Cluj, Aioani was booed, and at the start of the second half he was the target of harsh chants from the stands.
Marian Aioani, after Rapid – CFR 1-2: “Everything started on Saturday, the day before the match”
The Giulești goalkeeper spoke about the game and the team's efforts to get back into the game.
“We tried to get the ball as close to the opposition goal as possible and at times we didn't succeed. That goal came after Paraschiv or Tobi (no Christensen) put pressure on the opposition centre-back, things we need to do as often as possible throughout the game.”
Asked about the difficult moments experienced in Giulești, the goalkeeper detailed the entire medical situation and the risk taken to play in the derby, against Dinamo.
“It all started on Saturday, the day before the match. In training I felt a very strong contracture, I did an MRI, and it turned out that I had a micro-injury. I tried to see if I could play, I tried to warm up, but I could feel my muscle contracting. I went to the locker room, I did acupuncture with the man from the gym to get rid of that load, then I did some exercises in the locker room, some dynamic stretching. Everything seemed ok.
I went out on the field and, after greeting the people from Dinamo and I wanted to run, I could feel the muscle contracting and I thought it might not be something more serious than it was initially.
This thing came about because I really wanted to play, to help my team, to be with them, but unfortunately there are some moments when it's better to raise your hand and let someone else. I don't know, maybe I could have continued the match, but it happened, I felt it again. I wanted to play, it was an important match for us, that's why I took the risk and I wanted to be at the service of the team. From a microfibrillar rupture to reach a larger rupture was a short way.
I can only say that in the play-offs I made more individual mistakes than in the regular season. I think that in every game we have a mistake from which we get a goal, the teams are better, they catch you on the counter attack.”
Asked if he has a message for the fans, Marian Aioani gave a short answer: “No, I have nothing to convey to them. If that's what they thought…”
The ranking from the Superliga play-off
