Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Saturday, 09 May 2026, 12:22 / Updated Saturday, 09 May 2026 12:22
Eugen Trică (49 years old), coach free of contract, spoke about the return of Jovo Lukic to the team from Cluj University, after the injury suffered three stages ago, in the derby lost with CFR, 0-1.
The “red caps” will receive the visit of Rapid on Saturday evening, in a match that can return them to the end of the season in the fight for the title of the Super League, with real chances to depend solely on their own results.
Eugen Trică, announcement about the return of Jovo Lukic: “He will be 100% fit for the Cup final”
The former striker from the University of Craiova and Steaua revealed that the Bosnian striker is almost fully recovered, but will not be forced into the duel with Rapid.
“Lukic has recovered. He has started training. From my information, he will not start from the first with Rapid. I am already preparing him for the Cup final. He will be 100% fit for the final with U Craiova”said Eugen Trică, according to fanatik.ro.
Eugen Trica
Jovo Lukic, injured before the derby with CFR
What happened to Lukic? Just a few minutes before the derby between CFR Cluj and Universitatea Cluj, the “red caps” had to make a last-minute change in the first “11”, after Jovo Lukic was injured in the warm-up.
Following the MRI, the striker was diagnosed with a muscle problem, which kept him off the field in the last two stages.
His place in the offensive was taken by Atanas, the son of Eugen Trică, transferred by U Cluj in the summer of 2025. In the 28 official matches played for the Transylvanian team, he scored 3 goals and 2 assists.
On May 13, the University of Craiova and the University of Cluj, teams involved in the fight for the Superleague title, will meet in the final of the Romanian Betano Cup 2026, in Sibiu. A few days later, the two teams will also face off in the championship, in a match that can become decisive for the title.
The ranking from the Superliga play-off
