Raul Rusescu, triple Romanian champion and former FCSB striker, cautions that Universitatea Craiova risks finishing only 4th or 5th in the upcoming Liga 1 season if home match attendance at Ion Oblemenco Stadium does not significantly increase. He emphasizes the need for a vibrant, almost packed stadium throughout the regular season, not just during high-profile derbies, to boost the morale of the young squad heavily composed of inexperienced players[2][3].
Mihai Rotaru, the club’s main shareholder, supported Rusescu’s viewpoint during a live intervention, urging supporters to act as the “12th player” on the pitch by maintaining strong presence and pressure. Rotaru indicated that a larger fan turnout could literally translate into extra points that might elevate Craiova’s title challenge, estimating 7-8 additional points from enhanced support. He also revealed that about 4,000 season tickets have been sold so far, maintaining recent years’ averages, but expects a notable increase as the new season approaches, benefiting fans amid upcoming VAT hikes[2].
This dialogue highlights the critical role of fan engagement for Universitatea Craiova’s ambitions and suggests that without a significant boost in support, the club’s young roster may fall short of competing for the championship. Increasing attendance could be decisive in harnessing home advantage and closing the gap to Liga 1’s top contenders.