Rapid coach Daniel Pancu claims lack of consultation on Arena Națională venue decision

Rapid Bucharest head coach Daniel Pancu has publicly stated that he was not consulted by the club's leadership regarding the decision to host the upcoming derby return leg against FCSB at Arena Națională. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Pancu clarified that while he views the national stadium as a suitable venue, the choice was made exclusively by the board without his input.

Although Pancu acknowledged that playing at Arena Națională is a positive development, he revealed his personal preference would have been to hold the match at Rapid's home ground, Giulești. The coach speculated that financial factors likely played a significant role in the management's decision to utilize the larger capacity venue for the high-profile fixture.

The venue arrangement stems from a reciprocity agreement between the two rival clubs. FCSB board president Mihai Stoica confirmed that the teams reached an understanding regarding away fan allocations. Under this deal, Rapid supporters will occupy one entire stand at Arena Națională, providing approximately 8,000 seats for the visiting fans.

In exchange for the current arrangement, Rapid has committed to hosting the return leg of the 28th round at Arena Națională as well. The agreement ensures that FCSB fans will receive similar facilities and allocation when the fixtures are reversed later in the season, maintaining a balance between the two clubs' supporter groups.

Tickets for the derby have been priced according to seating categories, with costs ranging from 30 lei for standard stand access to 300 lei for VIP 1 packages. This pricing structure applies to the home sections, while the reciprocal agreement governs the specific allocation and conditions for the away supporters at both venues.