Article by Sergiu Alexandru – Published Wednesday, February 18, 2026 23:12 / Updated Wednesday, February 18, 2026 23:12
The change dictated by Gigi Becali a month ago will be applied to FCSB and in the play-off: Matei Popa will continue to be the starting goalkeeper and if the red-blue team qualifies among the top 6 teams.
FCSB are fighting to qualify for the play-offs, and with three legs left in the regular season there are still emotions. The champion of the last two seasons relied on Matei Popa, an 18-year-old goalkeeper, in the last matches, to check the u21 rule, and for the attack to be composed of the best players available.
Matei Popa will also defend in the play-off at FCSB
On January 26, after going to the base of the team, Gigi Becali announced that he was taking Ștefan Târnovanu out of the gate, in order to start Matei Popa, who at that time had not played any official match. “We decided to defend with an under goalkeeper, not to stand behind him anymore, because we can't win the matches with Toma” said Becali at the time.
There followed 5 matches with Popa between goals, in which FCSB conceded 5 goals, but none due to the goalkeeper's fault. And his developments delighted Becali, who not only increased his salary, but also conveyed to the club that Matei will also be a starter in the second part of the season, especially if the team goes to the play-offs.
And he sent a clear message to those at the club. “Popa and I are also playing in the play-offs! I want the best players in attack.”
Matei Popa, 18 years old, made his first appearance at FCSB // PHOTO: Cristi Preda (GSP.ro)
Ștefan Târnovanu wants to leave
Having reached the reserve, Ștefan Târnovanu would like to leave FCSB in the summer, as he also told manager Ioan Becali. But Gigi Becali doesn't think he will get any satisfactory offer on him between seasons, especially if he won't play anymore. Thus, the goalkeeper could leave next winter, if at the start of the next season he returns between the red and blue clubs.
“Târnovanu has a contract. If he's angry, whoever wants to take him has to pay the clause. And it's not a transfer period either. Is it a transfer period now? Until the summer… Let's live until the summer and see what we do with him. Târnovanu has a contract that he has to respect. I spoke to him. I told him: “No one is selling you now”. He admitted that he had bad days, that he didn't concentrate well. He admitted. Giovanni said what he said. He didn't make anything up. But he was convinced.
I told him: “Guys, you can't leave in the summer! Only in winter. When you appear at the national team and in the European cups. Now who will take you? Now I can't put you in». He said that he wants the good of the team and that he understood the situation, that it is difficult,” Gigi Becali told GSP.ro on February 13.
