Universitatea Craiova — Dinamo Bucuresti : Match Preview and Prediction for September 26,2025

Craiova’s Recent Setback and European Distraction

The league leaders, Universitatea Craiova, are heading into this crucial derby in less than ideal form. Having just suffered their first defeat of the season against Oțelul with a 0-1 scoreline in the last round, the team led by Mirel Rădoi is under pressure. Captain Nicușor Bancu openly described this unexpected loss as a “cold shower,” highlighting its impact on the squad.

Coach Radoi’s Stern Warning

Craiova’s main concern now isn’t just this recent defeat, but their upcoming debut in the Conference League group stage. The clash against Polish side Raków is just days away, and this European fixture is clearly weighing on the players’ minds. Coach Mirel Rădoi, in a recent press conference, issued a stark warning, stating that any player found to be thinking about Raków instead of Dinamo would be dropped from the squad and “can go home to their family.”

Pressure Builds on Craiova

Such firm declarations are not made without reason. This is a direct signal that the team’s focus has shifted, forcing the coach to resort to extreme measures to regain concentration. Universitatea Craiova player Vladimir Screciu emphasizes that a victory over Dinamo is imperative, further intensifying the pressure on the team following their recent stumble.

Dinamo’s Strong Run of Form

In contrast, the capital club, Dinamo Bucuresti, is enjoying an excellent run of form. Dinamo has been undefeated for seven consecutive matches and currently shares second and third place in the league table. Romanian football legend Ionuț Lupescu explicitly states that Željko Kopić’s team is a formidable collective vying for the top positions.

Lessons Learned from the Last Match

In their previous fixture, Dinamo drew 1-1 with Farul. After a confident first half, the team eased off, ultimately squandering a potential victory. Coach Kopić publicly acknowledged that there were moments when his players did not perform optimally, indicating that a thorough review and error correction process has been undertaken.

Confident and Prepared Dinamo

Dinamo’s players are traveling to Craiova with full confidence. Defender Maxim Sivis declared, “We are afraid of no one. We know who we are, and we are going there for a win.” It’s also noteworthy that Dinamo has avoided defeat in four of their last five away matches in the league. While there are some personnel losses – key midfielder Eddy Gnahore is suspended, and Cristian Mihai and Jordan Iococo are injured – coach Kopić remains confident in his players, stating that he has thoroughly studied Craiova and knows their weaknesses, which he intends to exploit.