“I don't deny my origins, but there are things that are not negotiable”

“We managed to win, we came close there, I hope our brothers (no – Dinamo) will help us, confuse Craiova, do something”, said Atanas Trică after U Cluj, his team, won against FC Argeș, score 1-0, in the 7th stage of the play-off. He would have hoped that the “brothers” from Dinamo would confuse Craiova, “Ion Oblemenco”, but the Oltenians won 2-1 and took another step towards the title.

Born in Bucharest, but with origins in Oltenia, the son of Lorena Balaci and the grandson of the great Ilie Balaci annoyed the Craiova supporters with his last statement, now, in the last hundred meters in the title fight.

Atanas Trică returned with a new message, after the statement from the weekend

After the wave of anger generated among the people of Olten, who do not forget Atanas, who grew up in the court of the white-blue team, the top of Cluj returned to Facebook with a message addressed to the protesters.

“I am a professional player at Cluj University and I defend the team I play for. This is what football means at a professional level. The message to the “brothers from Dinamo Bucharest” was taken further than it should have been. It had nothing to do with disrespecting anyone, let alone the Universitatea Craiova club.

I do not deny my origins. I am from Olt, even though I was born and raised in Bucharest, and my family is and will remain an essential part of who I am. My mother works at the University of Craiova – each of us is a professional and does our job where we are.

But there are things that are not negotiable: family and name. The name Balaci means history and respect. To the supporters of the University of Craiova: if you want to swear at me, swear at me, it's your choice. But leave the dead alone. The one you are talking about is not only from my family – he is a legend of Oltenia. Respect should exist beyond rivalries!”, wrote Atanas Trică, on Tuesday afternoon.

• Raised in the juniors of Craiova University, Atanas Trică went on loan to CSA Steaua and then to CS Tunari;

• He failed to establish himself in the first team of the University of Craiova, and in July 2024 he left with a permanent transfer to CSM Slatina;

• From July 2025 he became the player of Cluj University;

• In the current edition of the championship, he collected 28 games, in all competitions, in which he managed three goals and two decisive assists;

• It is quoted by the specialized website Transfermarkt at 300,000 euros