Except for the closing stages, we stayed very much in the game against the league leaders at Giulești, but Rapid eventually handed us a heavy defeat – the three-goal margin, however, may be harsher than what actually happened on the pitch.

Except for the closing stages, we stayed very much in the game against the league leaders at Giulești, but Rapid eventually handed us a heavy defeat – the three-goal margin, however, may be harsher than what actually happened on the pitch.

Our head coach, Róbert Ilyés, “half-returned home” to Giulești – this is how the stadium announcer introduced him before the match, and the home fans also chanted his name. Every Superliga team could envy the atmosphere of Rapid’s new stadium; even though it was not a full house this time, the mood was excellent.

A small but passionate group of Székely supporters, who travelled from home, joined the positive energy generated by the Rapid fans. The battle, both in the stands and on the pitch, took place in full fair-play spirit.

With Szilárd Veres suspended, our captain for this match was Attila Csürös, born in Miercurea Ciuc and with us since the third league. He played all ninety minutes (plus stoppage time) of this Superliga encounter. On the good-quality pitch, despite the harsh late-autumn weather, the hosts struck early: in the 10th minute Grameni scored after being launched by Aioani from his own penalty area – the first goalkeeper assist of the season.

In the 18th minute Dobre tested Pap from distance, then we began to show more in attack, Anderson producing two promising right-side runs. Before we could gain momentum, in the 27th minute Petrila sprinted from his own half through our entire defence and set up Dobre, who beat Pap one-on-one: 2–0.

We did not give up. Three minutes later Eppel had a good chance, redirecting Anderson’s cross from the left, but the ball went straight into Aioani’s hands. In the 33rd minute Jebari shot wide from 16 metres. Moments later Jebari made another run, Bolgado stepping on his foot; after a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty two minutes later. Eppel converted confidently: 1–2.

We went into halftime very much alive in the game, but the second half saw us lose pace. After the 70th minute Rapid became increasingly dangerous and Pap had to produce several saves from Petrila’s shots. In the last ten minutes we ran out of energy completely, and in the 81st minute, after another long ball, Petrila went through again and effectively decided the match. The hosts were not done yet: Manea set the final score at 4–1 in the 87th minute.

“I’m sorry because we played a very good first half, but we must admit the difference between the teams was big. Tonight we faced a much better side in every respect, highly motivated after last round’s defeat. They played combinative football, were more dangerous, and surprised us, while we sometimes committed quite amateurish mistakes. They punished us immediately – two shots, two goals. Congratulations to them for a deserved win,” head coach Róbert Ilyés said at the post-match press conference.

There is not much time to rest, as on Tuesday at 17:00 we face Oțelul Galați in the Romanian Cup group stage.

Superliga, Regular Season, Round 18
Rapid București – FK Csíkszereda 4–1 (2–1)
Giulești – Rapid Stadium, Bucharest
Referees: Mihuleac Gabriel, Vișan Florian, Necula Mihăiță. VAR: Colțescu Sebastian. AVAR: Porumbel Valentin. Fourth official: Moroiță Andrei.
Goals: Grameni (10), Dobre (27), Petrila (82), Manea (87) / Eppel (38 – penalty)
Yellow cards: Hromada (45+1) / Végh (45+1)

FC Rapid 1923: Aioani Marian Mihai – Manea Cristian Marian, Da Costa Bolgado Leonardo, Kramer Lars, Bădescu Robert Gabriel (Vulturar Cătălin 58), Hromada Jakub (Braun Cristopher 58), Grameni Constantin, Christensen Tobias (Gojkovic Luka 67), Dobre Mihai Alexandru (Micovschi Claudiu 88), Petrila Claudiu Adrian Mihai, Koljić Elvir (Jambor Timotej 88).
Head coach: Gâlcă Constantin

FK Csíkszereda: Pap Eduard Adrian – Pászka Lóránd, Palmeș Raul Ioan, Hegedüs János Krisztián, Ferenczi János, Végh Bence (Szabó Bálint 73), Csürös Attila, Anderson Ceará, Jebari Soufiane (Dusinszki Szabolcs 81), Bödő Zoltán Efraim, Eppel Márton (Szalay Szabolcs 81).
Head coach: Ilyés Róbert

Rédai Attila