Article by Alexandru Barbu – Published Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 3:14 p.m. / Updated Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 3:16 p.m.
Olimpiu Moruțan, 26 years old, debuted last night at Rapid. He played for about half an hour in the 2-1 win against UTA. Although he didn't even play a full half and managed no goals, no assists, the attacking midfielder was named man of the match.
3 days after he was officially presented as a Rapid player, Moruțan debuted in white and cherry. He entered the field in the 62nd minute, instead of Petrila.
What the attacking midfielder actually achieved in Arad, on his debut in the Rapid jersey:
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opened well to Borza on the left, who crossed on a great opportunity for the visitors;
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executed the corner from which Rapid's second, decisive goal resulted. However, it is not counted as an assist, because Bolgado did not score directly from Moruțan's cross, but after a fumbled ball by the UTA defense;
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a beautiful race at the end of the match, ended with a shot at the Gorcea goalkeeper.
Moruțan, the man of the match UTA – Rapid. Correct or exaggerated?
The TV rights holders and the Professional Football League named Olimpiu the man of the match. Later, several people from football praised him in public, including Emil “Nichi” Dumitriu, Gigi Becali, Gabi Torje.
Going further, however, the data recorded by Olimpiu Moruțan in Arad are not exactly great. He managed less than half of his actions, had only one successful forward pass and a worrying percentage of duels won: just 6 out of 16 (38%).
Olimpiu Moruțan's Wyscout report in UTA – Rapid
|
Minutes played |
33 |
|
Actions / achievements |
23 / 11 (48%) |
|
Shots / squares |
1 / 1 |
|
xG |
0.21 |
|
Passes / successes |
5 / 4 |
|
Passes in the last treme / successes |
2 / 1 |
|
Forward steps / successes |
2 / 1 |
|
Crosses / hits |
1 / 1 |
|
Dribbles / hits |
2 / 1 |
|
Duels / won |
16 / 6 (38%) |
|
Balls / lost |
4 / 2 |
|
Recoveries / in the opposing half |
2 / 2 |
|
Touch the ball in the box |
1 |
I'm happy that I won. Three very big points. We hope to continue like this and stay up. What seems different to me? Nothing. I'm really happy to be back in the country and I hope to play better and better. Naturally, it can be the year of the Rapid. We have a united group and we can make a nice result this year. I want to play better and better and help the team
– Olimpiu MoruțanRapid midfielder
Paraskiv, pale
Another newcomer this winter at Rapid, striker Daniel Paraschiv, was the first full-time starter. The top brought from Spain ticked off a deleted performance with UTA: he sent only one shot on goal, lost more than half (57%) of the duels, as well as 12 times the possession.
LPF included Bolgado in the stage team, not Moruțan
The Professional Football League chose only one player from Rapid in the team of the stage, but not Moruțan, designated as the player of the match in Arad. But on Leo Bolgadothe central defender entered at half-time in place of the injured Kramer. The Brazilian scored the winning goal.
Every game in the 23rd round and the footballer of the match
|
Metaloglobus – FC Arges 0–2 |
Robert Moldoveanu |
|
Hermannstadt – Dinamo 1–2 |
Oprut River |
|
U Cluj – Unirea Slobozia 1–0 |
Andrei Gheorghiță |
|
Craiova – FC Botosani 2–0 |
Alexandru Cicâldau |
|
Oil – Lighthouse 0–1 |
Victor Dican |
|
FCSB – CFR Cluj 1–4 |
Mihai Popa |
|
Steel – Csikszereda 3–0 |
Nuno Pedro |
|
UTA – Rapid 1–2 |
Olimpiu Moruțan |
