Article by Cezar Titor – Published Monday, May 18, 2026 11:00 p.m. / Updated Monday, May 18, 2026 11:02 p.m.
Denis Alibec, 35 years old, champion with Farul at the end of the 2022-2023 season, appeared dejected at the flash-interview, immediately after the “sailors” succumbed to those from Metaloglobus in the last play-out stage, score 0-1, being condemned to play two play-off matches with Chindia Târgoviște, a team that took advantage of the situation of Steaua and Bihor, teams without the right to promotion from the 2nd League.
He apologized to the supporters, described the whole situation as “shameful” and admits that he has some fear in the prospect of the two duels with the Dambovites, although he is confident in the chances of the Dobrogeans to save themselves from the trenches of the second echelon, just three years after lifting the champions' trophy.
The outcome of the play-out:
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Petrol was saved directly, being the only team that did not benefit from points rounding;
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Unirea Slobozia relegated to the 2nd League;
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Farul and Hermannstadt will play the tie. The Constantinians, with Chindia Târgoviște, the Sibiians, with FC Voluntari. The round-robin leg will be played between May 23-24, and the return leg on May 30-31 or June 1;
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UTA Arad won the play-out;
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FCSB finished 2nd, FC Botoșani 4th. The two will play the semi-final of the Conference League bracket, being the best ranked teams with a European license. This duel will take place on Sunday, May 24, from 20:30;
Denis Alibec: “We apologize, but we haven't been relegated yet”
“That's our level now. It's a shame to lose at home in the last leg, especially when you have the game in hand. They played without half a team, we prepared well all week, we had confidence, support from the fans, families and management, and we are not able to take a single point at home. It's shameful.
We apologize, but we haven't demoted yet. There are two more games and we hope with all our hearts to make two big games. The problem is with us, who are we to blame? We are not able to put the ball in the goal. We have 20 chances and we fail to score at home against Metaloglobus, a team that is already on vacation.
We have no excuse. I told you, it's shameful. We live a little on memories, but the present is present, and our level now is one of relegation. It doesn't matter anymore that I won the championship, that I was in the national team, that I played in Europe or where I played before. This is the level of us, of all of us, at the moment.
Head down and we're going to win with Chindia. I'm a little afraid of the dam, but I think we'll pull it off in the end“, declared Denis Alibec, at the end of the game on the shore of the Black Sea.
