Rapid Bucharest president defends move of FCSB derby to Arena Națională

Rapid Bucharest announced that the return derby against FCSB will be played at Arena Națională instead of their home ground, Giulești stadium. The decision has sparked debate among club figures and supporters regarding the appropriate venue for such a high-profile fixture.

Victor Angelescu, the president of Rapid Bucharest, defended the choice to move the match. He stated that derbies with FCSB will be held at Arena Națională when conditions permit. His comments came in response to criticism from within the club and the wider football community.

The primary reason cited for the venue change is the difference in seating capacity between the two stadiums. Arena Națională can hold approximately 55,000 spectators. In contrast, Giulești stadium has a capacity of about 14,000 seats.

Angelescu claimed that there are always between 35,000 and 40,000 supporters for these matches. He further stated that 30,000 Rapid fans want to attend home games but cannot fit into Giulești. These figures suggest that the home stadium is too small to accommodate the expected demand for the derby.

Regarding the specific attendance for the upcoming Saturday match, Angelescu declared that 8,000 Rapid fans will attend at Arena Națională. He compared this to an estimated 2,400 fans who would have been able to attend if the match remained at Giulești.

Not everyone at the club agreed with the decision. Daniel Pancu disagreed with moving the match to Arena Națională. His opposition highlights the internal division over whether the traditional home ground should be prioritized over a larger venue for big games.

Tensions surrounding the fixture were also evident in other comments. Decebal Rădulescu claimed that Mirel Rădoi trembled before playing in Giulești. This remark adds to the charged atmosphere ahead of the derby, though it remains a subjective claim rather than a confirmed fact.