Coelho Warns Craiova to Stay Grounded Ahead of Tough Trip to U Cluj
The matchup between U Cluj și Universitatea Craiova is shaping up to be one of those games where both tension and expectation hover in the air. And honestly, when you look at everything that has been happening around these two teams, you can understand why. Craiova comes into this duel on the back of an emotional high — that 1-0 victory over Mainz in the Conference League — but head coach Filipe Coelho made it very clear that this is not the moment for anyone to start floating above the ground.
In his pre-match press conference, Coelho’s tone was calm but firm. He admitted that the win against Mainz had brought joy to the players and supporters, and the atmosphere at that match had been nothing short of spectacular. But he insisted the team must quickly shift their focus. According to him, the Bundesliga victory shouldn’t be allowed to distract them from the challenge that awaits in the domestic league. “We need to control ourselves,” he emphasized, reminding everyone that U Cluj is a completely different kind of opponent.
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And he wasn’t exaggerating. U Cluj has been going through a noticeable transformation since Cristiano Bergodi took over just five matches ago. With four victories in that short span, the team has been revitalized, their confidence restored, and their tactical organization visibly strengthened. Coelho highlighted exactly that — the structure, the discipline, the good individual players — noting that Craiova must be prepared for a tough, potentially grinding match against a side that’s been steadily climbing.
Craiova’s goalkeeper, Pavlo Isenko, shared the same cautious optimism. He remembered well the previous encounter with U Cluj, calling it a difficult match, but one where Craiova ultimately found a way to win. He said the team had already analyzed their opponents and would do everything possible to take all three points. At the same time, he didn’t hide the fact that the victory over Mainz boosted morale and added an extra layer of belief within the squad. And, perhaps most tellingly, Isenko mentioned how much he appreciates the support of Craiova’s fans — the kind of energy that, as he put it, makes the team feel like they are playing with twelve people on the pitch.
Right now, Craiova sits firmly in fourth place with 32 points, while U Cluj trails not too far behind, holding eighth place with 23 points. The gap isn’t enormous, and matches like this can swing momentum in meaningful ways. So everything points toward a tight, competitive, and emotionally charged battle — the kind of game where form matters, yes, but concentration and mentality might matter even more.
As the two Universitatea teams prepare for kickoff, the message from Craiova’s camp is crystal clear: stay focused, stay grounded, and respect the opponent. The rest will be decided on the pitch.
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