Article by Ionuţ Coman – Published Friday, March 13, 2026 9:44 p.m. / Updated Friday, March 13, 2026 11:56 p.m.
With only 3 points ahead of the play-off places to stay in the Super League, Farul Constanța starts the play-out under pressure. And the main target is coach Ianis Zicu, whose fate will be decided by the results of the first two stages.
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Farul – Petrolul takes place on Sunday, from 15:00, in the first stage of the play-out. The match will be liveTEXT on GSP.ro and transmitted on Prima Sport 1 and Digi Sport 1
Even if he was reconfirmed as the club's president, Gică Popescu, the 42-year-old technician is aware that only the accumulated points can keep him in office.
In addition, rather unwittingly, he revealed that he was close to leaving the blue-and-whites, but abandoned the idea after a discussion with management.
Ianis Zicu: “I would have wanted to give in. But the club was by my side”
“It was the club that cared more for me to be here, because there were times when I felt disappointed with the results and I wanted to give in. But the club stood by me.
That's why I'm emotional, attached to the maximum, because they were with me and the staff at every moment. And I want us to finish this season the way we should”, said Ianis Zicu.
Reconciled with the option of leaving
At the same time, the coach of Farului confessed that he did not mind the information that he could be replaced by Ioan Ovidiu Sabău.
“I know this club has been very professional with me. And if it was true, although the club has denied it, I honestly wouldn't mind because the results haven't been up to expectations. Out of the last six games, we've only won one and it's normal for a club to have back-ups if things don't work out.
Regardless of the situation, I'm with the club and I want them to be in a good position. For me it is a great opportunity and I came here with all my heart and with the desire to achieve what can be achieved at the level we are at now”, said Ianis Zicu, who is in his debut season.
Enormous stake at debut
The first test for the people of Constanta is on Sunday, at home, when we will receive the visit of one of the opponents in the fight to avoid relegation, Petrolul Ploiești, the only one they beat twice in the regular season.
“Since I played for them, they have only one defeat in 7 matches, and that was against CFR Cluj, the team with the best return. So we have to forget everything that was. We are starting a new championship, a play-out that is dangerous and we cannot afford any more wrong steps.
I don't think there is any team in the play-outs who are in a good moment, starting with FCSB who are having a disastrous season. It's important how quickly everyone gets up, and the first match is everything at this moment”, warned Ianis Zicu.
The Lighthouse coach will not be able to rely on three players due to injuries, Denis Alibec, Ionuț Vînă and Ionuț Cojocaru, the first two being basic offensive linemen. “They are important players, but what can I do? I can't put them on the field in one leg just to say that they play the name”, added Ianis Zicu.
The fact that we won both matches in the regular season might motivate Petrolul Ploiești more, to play harder, but we also need to start more aggressively, to feel that we are playing at home.
Victor Dican, Farul Constanța midfielder
We still have 9 finals, and if we start with 6 points in the next two games, we are good and can think about the play-off places for the European cups.
Cristi Ganea, Farul Constanța midfielder
