The long-anticipated derby between FCSB and Rapid București concluded in a scoreless draw (0-0) in the 14th round of Romania’s Superliga. Despite multiple goal-scoring opportunities for both sides, neither team managed to break the deadlock, resulting in a shared point for the capital city rivals.
First Half: Intensity and Missed Opportunities
From the kickoff, both teams showed impressive determination, delivering an entertaining match with fast-paced play. The game quickly eclipsed the quality seen in recent derbies, like the one between Dinamo and FCSB (0-2), as both FCSB and Rapid demonstrated clear intent to dominate.
The highlight of the first half was a string of missed chances, particularly from FCSB’s Boupendza. Early in the match, Boupendza squandered a critical opportunity to score, failing to convert when he found himself facing an open goal. Rapid’s goalkeeper, Siegrist, proved crucial in keeping FCSB at bay, denying Olaru and Octavian Popescu with multiple superb saves. Overall, Siegrist recorded five saves in the first half alone, securing his team’s clean sheet.
Defensively, FCSB’s Ngezana stood out as he adeptly shut down Rapid’s attempts, especially Petrila’s efforts on the right flank. Boupendza, known for his offensive prowess, frequently dropped back to assist defensively, showing versatility despite his missed chances. Rapid’s midfield held its own, but their left side, led by captain Onea, struggled against FCSB’s relentless attacks.
Second Half: Dominance from FCSB and Rapid’s Resilient Defense
The second half saw a shift in momentum as Rapid took a more defensive stance, allowing FCSB to press forward. Rapid focused on counter-attacks, hoping to capitalize on FCSB’s advance. Though FCSB gained control of possession, they failed to replicate the volume of chances created in the first half. Midfield dynamo Darius Olaru pushed forward aggressively, hoping to inspire his teammates, but only Octavian Popescu matched his energy. Tactical adjustments saw Miculescu move to the right wing and Tănase take on a deeper role beside Șut, attempting a refined backheel shot that nearly put FCSB in the lead.
As tensions mounted, minor altercations erupted between players, including a clash between Tănase and Onea. Boupendza also exchanged words with Olaru after a defensive mix-up. Rapid’s chance to clinch victory came late in the game when Emmers delivered a powerful shot from the edge of the box, but Radunovic’s heroic block prevented what could have been a game-changing goal. In the final minutes, Daniel Popa missed a prime scoring chance, sending a weak shot wide despite being well-positioned in the box.
A Tactical Stalemate
Ultimately, both teams displayed strong defensive resilience, with FCSB controlling much of the game but failing to break down Rapid’s defensive line effectively. Rapid, in turn, was content to sit back and counter, reflecting a pragmatic approach that earned them a hard-fought point. This goalless draw was a fair result, highlighting the fierce rivalry without a decisive winner.
Line-ups
- FCSB (4-3-3): Târnovanu – Crețu, Dawa, Ngezana, Radunovic – Olaru, Șut, Tănase – Băluță, Miculescu, Oct. Popescu
Substitutes: Vlad, Pantea, Panțîru, Chiricheș, M. Popescu, Ștefănescu, Edjouma, Alhassan, Phelipe, Musi, Popa, Baeten
Coach: Elias Charalambous
Notable Absences: Daniel Bîrligea (suspended) - Rapid (3-4-3): Siegrist – Manea, Ignat, Pașcanu – Onea, Kait, Christensen, Borza – N’Jie, Boupendza, Petrila
Substitutes: Aioani, Blazek, Braun, Gojkovic, Emmers, Vulturar, Grameni, Micovschi, Pop, Hasani, Dobre, Burmaz
Coach: Marius Șumudică
Notable Absences: Jakub Hromada (suspended), Cristi Săpunaru (injured)
This derby showcased the intense rivalry and defensive skill between these two teams, promising more thrilling encounters as the Superliga season progresses.
