Ciprian Deac opposes plan to field juniors in CFR Cluj derby against U Cluj

CFR Cluj official Ciprian Deac has voiced opposition to head coach Marius Șumudică's strategy for the upcoming Romanian Cup derby against U Cluj. Deac disagrees with the potential decision to field junior players in the high-stakes local rivalry match scheduled for 28 October 2026.

The match between CFR Cluj and U Cluj is set to take place on 28 October 2026 at 21:30. Deac emphasized that the fixture carries significant weight due to its nature as a derby. He stated that relying on younger squad members would significantly reduce the team's chances of securing a victory.

Marius Șumudică had previously indicated his intention to field a second team composed of players with little recent playing time in the cup tie. The coach cited dissatisfaction with the short recovery period available between matches as a primary factor in this decision.

Șumudică claimed that their opponents have had two or three days more rest than his squad. This disparity in recovery time has influenced the coaching staff's approach to squad rotation for the cup fixture.

The team is also dealing with injury issues ahead of the game. Players Braun and Simao are currently injured and were not included in the squad camp for the match.

In broader comments about the current season, Deac identified Dinamo as the best team he has faced so far. He described Dinamo as a favorite for the title based on their performances to date.