FC Bacău will compete against Universitatea Craiova today at 17:30 in a Group D match of the Romanian Cup, taking place at Stadionul Ruși-Ciutea. This match will be broadcast live on Prima Sport 1 and Digi Sport 1.
Both teams are part of Group D, competing alongside Dinamo, Sporting Liești, Chindia Târgoviște, and FC Voluntari. In the opening round, Dinamo defeated Sporting Liești 4-1, while FC Voluntari achieved a narrow 1-0 victory over Chindia Târgoviște.
As the reigning champions of Romania, Universitatea Craiova faces a challenging match on one of the toughest pitches in Liga 2. FC Bacău has not lost at home this season, with two wins and one draw under the guidance of coach Costel Enache.
Match Preview: FC Bacău vs. Universitatea Craiova
FC Bacău: Gumenco – Inglada, Coajă, Banu, Bordea – Mitrică, Cîrstean, Oasenegre, P. Petre, B. Jesus – R. Ciobanu. Substitutes: Anton, Forizs, G. Albu, Luncașu, Axinte, Baciu, Burlacu, Pavel, R. Moise. Coach: Costel Enache.
Universitatea Craiova: Sava – Roux, A. Crețu, Stevanovic – Teles, M. Rădulescu, T. Băluță, Tavares – Băsceanu, Nsimba, Etim. Substitutes: A. Maxim, Romanchuk, Al Hamlawi, Baiaram, Lameira, Elisor, D. Matei, Webster, S. Șerban. Coach: Filipe Coelho.
The match will be officiated by referee Mladinovici Horia-Gabriel from Bucharest, with assistants Vișan Florian Alexandru and Iftode Florin Ionuț, both from Galați. The VAR official will be Popa Catalin Sorin from Argeș, assisted by Marcu Claudiu from Constanța.
FC Bacău has had a strong start in the second division, maintaining a favorable path toward promotion among the ten teams eligible for elevation. They have won both of their home games by a score of 3-0 against CSL Ștefănești and Steaua București, and have drawn 2-2 against Vâlcea, with their only defeat coming at the hands of Popești-Leordeni, losing 2-3.
Meanwhile, Universitatea Craiova, with eight additional matches this season due to European competitions, currently sits fourth in the Superliga, trailing leader Dinamo by three points after their recent 1-1 draw at Giulești. Following a dramatic elimination from the Europa League with a 0-2 loss to Ararat in Armenia, the team aims to secure three points in this cup match.
“This marks the start of an important competition. We must be very professional and focused to secure our first three points. FC Bacău plays well at home and can pose a threat, particularly during set pieces. It won’t be easy to win here,” said Filipe Coelho, head coach of Universitatea Craiova.
Current Standings in Group D of the Romanian Cup
