The name of Italian coach Cristiano Bergodi (61 years old) was chanted in Giulesti by Rapid fans, after the 2-1 victory over Cluj University on Sunday evening, in the 3rd stage of the play-off.
The former champion indicates the new champion
Gigi Becali (67 years old), the patron of the former champion – FCSB, spoke about the fight for the Super League title. The businessman, whose team is in the play-out, said who, in his opinion, will be able to get his hands on the trophy at the end of this edition of the championship. The boss of the “red-blues” added that he would specifically like the “red caps” to triumph in the domestic competition. “Cluj University will be champion. I also say what suits me”Gigi Becali said the other day.
“U” Cluj, a club founded in 1919, has never won the title of champion in Romania (the Transylvanians have only one Romanian Cup in the 1964/1965 season). Gigi Becali coached Cristiano Bergodi, former leader of Lazio Roma, but fired him after the Italian had the nerve to confront him at half-time of a European Cup match with Sheriff Tiraspol, when he asked him to leave the dressing room. “The boss went down to the locker room. He put pressure and there were some young players, like Ionescu or Onicaş. In 2009, no investments were made by Mr. Becali, but we won six matches in a row, we reached the Europa League groups. In groups, he put pressure on Sheriff. It was 0-0 at halftime. It was the pride of Mr. Becali and my pride as a coach. I had a good relationship with Mr. Becali, he didn’t interfere with the team, with the players. There were many young people. This episode was a big regret. I didn’t do anything wrong, I behaved respectfully. I told him in a friendly tone to get out of the locker room. It was halftime, the players were resting. I had to speak, to try to do better. It was the first match in Europe. After that, I was sorry that he kicked me out, but I don’t regret anything. I have a backbone, I didn’t do anything wrong. I am a professional and I have no problem. The relationship between us was a very good one“, said Bergodi overtime. The Italian coached Steaua/FCSB for two months, between July and September 2009.
Dan Șucu admires the success of others
Rapid has internal problems and looks down on the coaches he had in the yard or that he was close to bringing to the team. The first category includes Cristiano Bergodi (61 years old), the Italian who is now having a crazy success on the bench of the team from Cluj. Bergodi was active in Giulesti in 2015 and in the 2023-2024 season. Bergodi has a Romanian Cup under his belt, with Sepsi, in 2022, and was close to the title with Craiova University. In the second category, Cristian Chivu (45 years old) can be included, who negotiated with Dan Șucu (62 years old) to take over Giulești after the departure of the Italian. Pressured by the gallery, the rapidists finally chose Marius Ninel Șumudica (55 years old), with whom they missed all the objectives. After 31 stages, Chivu is the leader in Italy with Inter Milan. It has 9 and 10 points respectively without a follower: AC Milan and Napoli. The first league in Italy has 38 stages, and the Milanese group is like a champion in Serie A.
