Marius Șumudică predicts CFR Cluj will miss Superliga play-off and names title contenders

CFR Cluj head coach Marius Șumudică has stated that his team is not expected to finish among the top six clubs at the end of the regular Superliga season. This placement would exclude them from the championship play-off group.

The coach provided his assessment of which clubs are likely to secure the remaining play-off positions. He predicted that Dinamo, Rapid, and Craiova will join FCSB and Universitatea Cluj in the top tier. The final spot is expected to be contested by either Farul or Corvinul.

Șumudică further refined his outlook on the objectives for these leading teams. He believes the primary battle for the league title will involve Dinamo, Rapid, and Craiova. In his view, FCSB and Universitatea Cluj are more likely to focus their efforts on securing qualification for European competitions.

CFR Cluj currently sits in eighth place in the league table. The team is two points behind the sixth-place position, which is held by the team managed by Laurențiu Reghecampf. This gap highlights the challenge CFR faces in reaching the play-off zone.

Looking ahead to upcoming fixtures, Șumudică commented on the derby between Rapid and FCSB. He identified Rapid as the favorite in this match based on their current form.

Despite favoring Rapid, the coach acknowledged factors that could influence the outcome. He noted that FCSB benefits from playing at home at Arena Națională. The larger fan presence there could help balance the match against Rapid's momentum.