FCSB and Rapid prepare for SuperLiga derby with minute of silence for Viorel Păunescu

Earlier match preview: this report was published before kick-off. It is not a current fixture update or a final-result report. See recorded SuperLiga fixtures and results.

FCSB will host Rapid in the SuperLiga round 13 derby on Saturday, 24 October 2026. The match is scheduled to begin at 21:00 at Arena Națională in Bucharest. This fixture marks the first direct confrontation between coaches Laurențiu Reghecampf and Daniel Pancu in the top flight.

All matches in SuperLiga round 13 will start with a minute of silence. This tribute honors Viorel Păunescu, the former Steaua board president who served from 1998 to 2003. Păunescu died at the age of 91.

Rapid enters the match in second place in the league table with 27 points. They sit two points behind leader Dinamo. FCSB occupies sixth place with 18 points before the start of round 13.

Rapid has gone seven matches without defeat in the SuperLiga. This run includes five consecutive wins. Their only loss this season came against Dinamo on 15 August.

Laurențiu Reghecampf took over as FCSB coach after a 5-0 loss to Universitatea Craiova on 19 September. He replaced Marius Baciu. Under Reghecampf, FCSB achieved two consecutive wins, defeating Oțelul 1-0 and FC Voluntari 2-1.

Daniel Pancu stated that labeling Rapid as favorites is nonsense. He believes there is no favorite in this matchup. Pancu noted that his team played with six newcomers against Cluj and five against Corvinul in recent fixtures.

Reghecampf stated he feels no pressure ahead of the derby. He described Rapid as an aggressive team led by a good, young coach.

Approximately 35,000 spectators are expected at Arena Națională for the match. The weather forecast for Bucharest at 21:00 predicts a temperature of 11 degrees Celsius with a 0% chance of precipitation.

Horațiu Feșnic will serve as the referee for the match. He will be assisted by Valentin-Gabriel Avram and Alexandru Cerei. Adrian Sorin Costreie is the VAR official, and Valentin Porumbel is the AVAR.

Betting odds list an FCSB win at 2.25 and a Rapid win at 3.20. A draw is priced at 3.50, while Both Teams to Score is listed at 1.70.

FCSB owner Gigi Becali announced he will no longer sign players from rival club Dinamo. He stated he will focus on signing foreign players to improve the team's level. Becali claimed Romanian football lacks value, citing only four or five teams with European standard.