FC Argeș and Rapid București drew 2-2 in a crucial match, where Piteștenii were leading 2-0 and missed a crucial penalty in the 90+9th minute, struck by Ricardo Matos. Goalkeeper Cătălin Straton acknowledged the bitter taste left by the missed penalty but reminded everyone that Matos had qualified FC Argeș for the playoffs with a previous goal against Dinamo.

Straton Defends Matos: "He's My Friend"

"It was a game where we came out fairly evenly. The missed penalty left a bitter taste. Rapid played well in the second half. I'm happy with the game I played and did my job. I hope we stop talking about my age because I'm a professional and I want to play."

"I don't want to leave Pitești; I want to stay here. I hope to get more chances to play. I have one year left on my contract. I prepare for every training session, I'm a positive person, and I'm a team player. Like any footballer, I want to play until I'm done. I just want to play."

Match Summary

  • FC Argeș: Straton - Tofan (Rober Sierra 46'), Tudose, Sadriu, Borţa - I. Rădescu (Briceag 46'), Raţă (Luckassen Brobbey 83'), Blagaic (Emmers 46') - Idowu (Y. Pîrvu 46'), Ricardo Matos, Bettaieb. Coach: Bogdan Andone
  • Rapid București: Aioani - Onea, D. Ciobotariu, Paşcanu, Sălceanu - T. Christensen, K. Keita, Grameni (Hromada 65') - Moruţan (Al. Dobre 74'), D. Paraschiv (Koljic 65'), Borza (Hazrollaj 77'). Coach: Constantin Gâlcă
  • Yellow Cards: Raţă 20', Bettaieb 43', Rober Sierra 55' / Paşcanu 3', D. Ciobotariu 10', Sălceanu 53', K. Keita 77'
  • Referees: George Roman - Alexandru Filip, Ionuț Neacșu
  • VAR Referees: Horia Mladinovici - Andrei Antonie
  • Goals: Bettaieb 64' and 72' / Paşcanu 36', Paraschiv 52'

Rapid Eliminated from European Race

The draw definitively settled which four teams will represent Romania in next season's European cups. FC Argeș and Rapid București are now fighting to avoid the last position in the playoffs. Universitatea Craiova, "U" Cluj, CFR Cluj, and Dinamo will participate in the European cups on behalf of Romania.