LIVE Rapid – Dinamo, incandescent derby on the National Arena

Almost eight decades have passed since the first episode of the duel between Rapid and Dinamo, consumed on September 9, 1948. On Monday evening, the National Arena hosts the confrontation with the number 121 of the main domestic competition, a new chapter of a Bucharest derby which, after almost two decades, once again has the scent of a title.

This time, the stakes go beyond traditional conceits. Rapid and Dinamo complete the Superliga podium, occupying the 2nd and 3rd places, separated by only three points, in favor of the red-whites. Dinamo is going through an almost flawless beginning of the year in the championship: undefeated in 2026, with four wins and two draws, to which is added the success in the Romanian Cup, 2-0 with Hermannstadt.

On the other hand, the people from Giulești started the new year with two successes, 1-0 against Metaloglobus and 2-1 against UTA Arad, but the subsequent course was oscillating: two defeats in the championship, a categorical victory in Sibiu and two draws, one of which was in the Romanian Cup, equivalent to elimination from the competition. In the round, Rapid won 2-0, also at the National Arena, in a demonstration of pragmatism.

Approximately 18,000 spectators are expected, of which approximately 7,000 will be Dynamo fans.

LIVE, from 20:30 » Rapid – Dinamo

Rapid – Dinamo, probable teams:

Quick (4-3-3): Iliev – Manea, Kramer, Ciobotariu, Borza – Grameni, Keita, Christensen – Dobre, Koljic, Petrila
reserves: Aioani, Briciu – Bolgado, Onea, Vulturar, Gabriel Gheorghe, Pașcanu, Hazrollaj, Moruțan, Paraschiv, Talisson, Pașcanu
Absent: Burmaz, Sălceanu (injured)
Coach: Constantin Galca

Dinamo (4-3-3): Epassy – Sivis, Boateng, Stoinov, Opruț – Cîrjan, Mărginean, Gnahore – Soro, Karamoko, Musi
reserves: Roșca, Din-Licaciu – Duțu, Țicu, Milanov, Pop, Cr. Mihai, Armstrong, Mazilu, Ikoko, Toader, Tarbă
Absent: Bordușanu (injured)
Coach: Zeljko Kopic

Referee: Rareș Vidican
ASSISTANT: George Florin Neacșu and Alexandru Cerei
VAR referee: Sebastian Colțescu
Assistant VAR: Sebastian Gheorghe
Book: Andrei Moroiță
Observer referees: Irina Mirț

Superliga standings in real time:

What the two technicians said before the game:

An important match, especially since we are coming after a less good period. If I'm not mistaken, we haven't won at home since the Metaloglobus game. We have to have attitude, to recover that defensive balance we had before the match with Farul. The truth is that in Constanța we played a very poor match.

For us it is important to reach our goal, then to propose other goals. The moment is not good, but it must be an extra motivation for everyone. There are important matches, there is motivation, Dinamo is a very good team. We have to rise to their level, right over, we did it on tour.

This moment is important, we have to look different, from all points of view. Attitude is important, which also means respecting the tactical instructions. We attack with many, we defend with few. He stole our game with the Lighthouse. We want the team to see themselves first, it's important that the team looks good.

– Costel Gâlcă, coach Rapid

We are in good shape, satisfied. I checked the first step. We achieved our goal and qualified for the quarter-finals of the Cup. We qualified for the play-offs with three rounds to go before the end of the regular season. We have three games to go. Next is the match with Rapid. It's a derby.

We still have two important matches. The team has good energy, we are ready to go on the field and fight. Awe always get the same idea. We will give everything.

We will prepare the match to take three points.We have to adapt to the playing surface. We know that the weather in Romania is not the best. We cannot fight nature. There is a lot of snow. I hope the pitch is good and we can play good football.

– Zeljko Kopic, Dinamo coach

PHOTO. Dinamo – Rapid, the best frames from the match in the round:

The most important details, provided by GSP statistician Liviu Manolache:

• Seven wins, three draws and three defeats is the record recorded by Giulești in the current edition at home.

• Bucharest have won six of the 13 away games in the current season, and five other times they have ended in a draw.

• They are the teams with most goals scored from cornerssix each.

• Dinamo is the team with the best possession in the first 27 rounds – 59.6% (Rapid – 54%)

• Rapid is the group in the Superliga with the most successes in the first 30 minutes – 15, while the guests are in the first position in the number of goals scored after the 75th minute – 12.

• The two teams have met in the main domestic competition 120 times, 42 times Giulești won, 50 times Dynamo prevailed, and another 28 games ended in a draw.

  Records with Rapid as host: 60 games – 25 wins Rapid – 14 draws – 21 successes Dinamo.

• The “first” confrontation took place on September 9, 1948, Dinamo-CFR Bucharest 0-1. Ştefan Filotti's goal, in the 60th minute, gave the “red-whites” the first defeat in the history of the club in the Romanian championship. The two teams were coached by Coloman Braun – Dinamo, respectively Petre Steinbach – Rapid.

• The biggest score difference: September 17, 1988, Dinamo-Rapid 6-0 (Cămătaru double, Mateuţ, Rednic, Andone, Vaişcovici).

• Dinamo's last win: April 11, 2015, Dinamo-Rapid 2-0.

• The most recent direct Superliga match: October 19, 2025, Dinamo-Rapid 0-2 (Eddy Gnahore – own goal, Cristian Manea).