LIVE. CFR – U, Cluj Derby at the highest levels, in stage #6 of the play-off

CFR Cluj – U Cluj consumes a new episode of the local rivalry, tonight, from 20:30, at the “Dr. Constantin Rădulescu” stadium. A showdown with implications for supremacy in domestic football.

If the group from Gruia has been up there in recent years in the duels for the highest positions, the “Red Caps” are constantly on the rise and fighting for the event in the current season. U Cluj is going through a great moment. Both teams from Cluj had impressive invincibility streaks in 2026. CFR – 11 successes in a row, U – 7 consecutive victories.

LIVE from 20:30 » CFR Cluj – U Cluj

The starting teams at CFR Cluj – U Cluj

CFR Cluj: M. Popa – Braun, Sinyan, Huja, Camora – Muhar, T. Keita – Korenica, Paun, Biliboc – Alibek Aliev
Reserves: Valceanu, Kun, Abeid, M. Ilie, Djokovic, Perianu, Deac, Fică, Cordea, Sfaiț, Gligor, Zahovic
Coach Daniel Pancu

U Cluj: Gertmonas – Mikanovic, I. Cristea, Coubiș, Chipciu – Mendy, Bic, Drammeh – Macalou, Lukic, El Sawy
reserves: Lefter, Cosa, Stanojev, Capradossi, M. Silva, Codrea, Murgia, Pall, Nistor, Fabry, Gheorghiță, A. Trică
Coach Cristiano Bergodi

Stadium “Dr. Constantin Rădulescu”
Referee Szabolcs Kovacs (Carrie). ASSISTANT Mihai Marica (Bistrita), Cristian Ilinca (Craiova)
VAR referee Cătălin Popa (Pitesti). Assistant VAR Lucian Rusandu (Saint George)

The most interesting information about CFR Cluj – U Cluj

• October 25, 2025, CFR-Farul 0-2 was the last game lost by the Cluj railways in the championship at home. Eight wins and a draw followed at home.

• 11 victories were achieved by Cluj University in the ongoing edition as a guest team, the most of all competitors.

• CFR Cluj is the team with the fewest matches without a goal scored, only five.

• The Cluj students scored 14 headed goals, six of which were scored by Jovo Lukic.

• In his 15th season in the Super League, Mario Camora will mark the match with the number 450 on the first stage in Romania, he is also the player in the history of the Cluj Cherries with the most games played for CFR in Romania's elite competition.

• Issouf Macalou managed 13 decisive assists in the current edition, of which eight in the games played in 2026.

• It is also worth noting the good season made by the young Lorenzo Biliboc, debutant in the Super League, against whom 10 offensive contributions have already been registered (7 goals, 2 decisive assists, 1 penalty taken).

The two teams have met in the main domestic competition 41 times, 20 times CFR Cluj won, nine times the University prevailed, and 12 other games ended in a draw.

• The first match in the Romanian Super League is considered the one on December 7, 1947, Ferar-U 1-3. In the winter of 1947/48, Ferar merged with the second-division CFR Cluj, thus, in return, we fully enjoy the first duel at the highest level, U-CFR Ferar 2-4. The coaches were Nicolae Munteanu (U), respectively Elemer Hirsch (CFR).

• In the following season, 1948/49, the two teams took the B road together, just as they would do at the end of the 1975/76 season.

• October 25, 1970, CFR-U Cluj 2-1, for the “students” Mihai Adam scored, the one who entered the history of Romanian football as the only player to win the top scorer title with two teams from the same city (twice with U, one top scorer title with CFR). In total, he scored 5 goals in the Cluj derby, 4 of them in the CFR shirt.

• May 3, 1972, U-CFR 1-0, Ion Munteanu goal. After this success, the “Red Caps” waited 42 years until they scored another victory on the first stage against the “cherries” (March 24, 2014, CFR-U Cluj 1-2, goals Ogbu / Lemnaru, Ciupe). During all this time, the two have met at the highest level 17 times, eight CFR successes and nine draws.

• May 7, 2008, Universitatea Cluj-CFR 0-1, success following which CFR became the champion of Romania for the first time.

• The most goals in a duel on the first stage: August 21, 2023, Cluj University-CFR Cluj 3-4.

• The most recent direct Superliga match: March 16, 2026, Cluj University-CFR Cluj 2-1 (Jovo Lukic, Oucasse Mendy / Lorenzo Biliboc).

It should be remembered that the Italian Cristiano Bergodi coached CFR in the 2006/2007 season, at the end of which season the railwaymen from Cluj ranked first on the podium (3rd place) and managed to qualify for the first time in the European Cups.

The ranking from the Superliga play-off