Article by Cezar Titor – Published Friday, 08 May 2026, 16:59 / Updated Friday, 08 May 2026 16:59
CFR Cluj – Universitatea Craiova, a duel with major implications in the fight for the title, the first of round #8 of the play-off, will be played tonight, from 21:00. The game from Gruia will be broadcast in liveTEXT format by GSP.ro, being televised by PrimaSport 1 & DigiSport 1.
In the event of success, the Oltenians would be one step away from the trophy. With three points obtained today, the University of Craiova could break away six lengths from the main pursuer, the University of Cluj.
Moreover, a victory for the “juves”, combined with a misstep by the “students” in tomorrow night's game, would mean a huge step towards the first title in Bănie after almost four decades of waiting.
On the other hand, a success of the “railwaymen” prepared by Daniel Pancu would almost miraculously rekindle the fight for the title before the last two stages. CFR remains undefeated at home since “Pancone” took over the team. However, Craiova turned into a real “black beast” for the Transylvanians this season: two victories, a draw and the elimination of CFR from the Romanian Cup.
LIVE, from 21:00 » CFR Cluj – Craiova University
CFR Cluj – Universitatea Craiova, probable teams:
CFR Cluj (4-2-3-1): M. Popa – Braun, Sinyan, Huja, Camora – Muhar, T. Keita – Cordea, Korenica, Biliboc – Zahovic
reserves: Vâlceanu – Kun, Abeid, M. Ilie, D. Djokovic, Perianu, Deac, A. Păun, Fică, Şfaiț, Gligor, Aliev
Coach: Daniel Pancu
Craiova University (3-4-3): L. Popescu – Romanchuk, Ad. Rus, Screciu – Mora, Cicâldău, Anzor, Bancu – D. Matei, Etim, Teles
reserves: Goncalves – Mogoș, Fl. Ștefan, Badelj, Stefanovic, Al. Crețu, Al Hamlawi, Baiaram, Băsceanu, Nsimba, M. Rădulescu
Coach: Filipe Coelho
Referee: Istvan Kovacs // A1: Ferencz Tunyogi // A2: Ionuț Neacșu
VAR referee: Marcel Bîrsan // Assistant VAR: Cosmin Bojan
Book: Iulian Calin // Obs. referees: Zoltan Szekely
CFR Cluj – University of Craiova, the most interesting information, provided by Liviu Manolache, the Gazette's statistician:
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Transylvania have not lost at home since October 25, 2025, CFR-Farul 0-2. Nine wins and a draw followed at home (undefeated at home with Daniel Pancu on the bench).
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Olteni won in eight of the 18 trips in the current edition, and six other times they ended in a draw.
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They are the teams with the most matches with a goal scored, CFR Cluj – 32, Craiova University – 31.
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The fewest shots in the play-off were fired on the goal area of Olten, only 18, ihierarchy in which Cluj are at the opposite pole, 32 shots on goal against.
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With 13 goals scored and four decisive assists, Andrei Cordea is jthe player with the most offensive contributions from the host camp.
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Steven Nsimba scored in the previous round and reached 10 goals scored in the current edition, being only the second foreign player in the history of the Craiova group to reach this milestone in his debut season (the first was Elvir Koljic, 13 goals in 2018/19).
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If he will be used, the Portuguese Samuel Teles will tick match number 100 in the Romanian Superliga.
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Since the return of Craiova football on the first stage in 2014, the two teams have met in the main domestic competition 45 times, Cluj won 16 times, Craiova prevailed 15 times, and another 14 games ended in a draw.
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The last match in the championship without a goal scored was played on April 11, 2021, on the ground of Craiova.
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The latest direct Super League match: April 6, 2026, Craiova University-CFR Cluj 2-0, goals scored by Anzor Mekvabishvili and Assad Al-Hamlawi.
