Preview
Universitatea Cluj will play their final home match before the international break against Oțelul Galați, with the hosts desperate to put an end to a difficult run of three consecutive league defeats.
Coach Cristiano Bergodi has emphasized the importance of this fixture, describing it as a “very, very important match” and making it clear that his side must take all three points. He also stressed that the recent defeats against Petrolul and Universitatea Craiova should be viewed as an “accident of passage”, while pointing out that despite the defeat to Dinamo Bucharest, Universitatea Cluj had produced a good performance and were punished by two individual mistakes in midfield. Bergodi also confirmed that the players have prepared well and that he has a full squad available.
Oțelul Galați have proven to be a difficult opponent, recording four draws and two victories from their opening eight rounds. They are well organized and rarely easy to break down, but their record in Cluj is a major concern. Oțelul have lost their last three visits against Universitatea Cluj and will face a highly motivated home side determined to respond after their recent setbacks.
Universitatea Cluj have traditionally been a strong team on home soil, and with a full squad, home advantage and the clear motivation to return to winning ways before the break, I believe the hosts have a strong opportunity to claim all three points.