Inter’s baptism in Liga 3 begins with growing pains—but the foundation is being laid for a competitive campaign.
Early Challenges for Inter Sibiu in Liga 3 Campaign
On July 9, 2025, Inter Sibiu officially kicked off preparations for their debut season in Romania’s Liga 3 with a friendly match against second-tier side CSC 1599 Șelimbăr. The match, held in Victoria while Șelimbăr are in preseason training in Brașov, offered a first glimpse at Inter’s readiness for the upcoming season.
Despite showing moments of promise—equalizing early in the second half after trailing 3–2 at halftime—Inter ultimately succumbed to a heavy defeat, largely due to fitness and cohesion issues. Goals from Cărpinișan, Velțan, and Olariu provided brief optimism, but Inter struggled to maintain their intensity as the game wore on.
As the rain intensified over the pitch, so too did the pressure from Șelimbăr. Inter’s midfield, clearly fatigued, failed to track back effectively, leading to a late flurry of goals against. The match exposed the physical gap between the two sides, particularly in this early stage of preseason.
However, the result was never the primary focus. With several first-team players yet to return and a number of trialists involved, the game served primarily as a diagnostic tool ahead of Inter’s Romanian Cup fixture this coming Saturday in Sibiu.
The overall sentiment within the club remains optimistic. The players appear motivated and aware of the step up in competition, and the coming weeks will be crucial for shaping the squad and building match fitness.