FCSB, double change in the first half of the match with Slobozia » Goalkeeper Popa, shocked after the collision with his own colleague
Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Monday, May 11, 2026 10:25 p.m. / Updated Monday, May 11, 2026 10:25 p.m.
FCSB received the visit of the residents of Ialomi from Unirea Slobozia in the last match of round #8 of the Superleague play-out. At halftime, the score at the “Steaua” stadium was 0-0, but the Romanian champions had to make two changes right from the end of the first half.
Matei Popa, the “under” goalkeeper of the red-blues, could not continue after colliding with his own teammate, Joao Paulo.
VIDEO. Matei Popa, injured in FCSB – Slobozia
It all happened in the 44th minute, when the visitors scored a goal later disallowed for offside. After a fixed phase from Ialomi, Matei Popa came out from between the stumps trying to box the ball, but collided violently with Joao Paulo.
The phase continued, with the young goalkeeper lying on the lawn, and Unirea Slobozia managed to score through the former speedster Albu. However, the goal was disallowed for offside. Matei Popa could no longer continue the game, being concussed and replaced at the end of the first half by Ștefan Târnovanu.
At the same time, FCSB were forced to make another change as they were left without an “under” player on the field. Juri Cisotti was removed, and Alexandru Stoian entered in his place.
It is only the third match for Ștefan Târnovanu in the last 15 games, after he became Matei Popa's reserve, following the decision of the FCSB boss, Gigi Becali, who chose the option of an U21 player between the sticks.
Gigi Becali, about Matei Popa: “He's a rock!”
Gigi Becali spoke at the end of the regular season about the young goalkeeper of the champion and praised his mentality.
“Matei Popa's salary was slightly increased. That is, it doubled. With the promise that if he stays in goal we will triple him next year. And in another year, we double or triple. I'm only interested in one thing: if he's mentally strong. If he has mental stability.
And MM told me like this: «From this point of view, you have no business, it's a rock! I haven't seen anything like it!”. That interests me. Why not defend at almost 19 years old?”said Gigi Becali about Matei Popa.
The ranking from the Superliga play-out
