Filipe Coelho Benches Starter; Zeljko Kopic Welcomes Two Returns

Dinamo and Universitatea Craiova unveiled notable changes for the derby that opened play-off round two of the Superliga. The match was covered by Filmogaz.com on 19 March 2026, with updates later that evening. Tudor Belivacă reported the team news.

Dinamo: defensive and midfield returns

Zeljko Kopic shuffled his lineup amid an injury crisis. He regained two key players for the starting eleven.

Zeljko Kopic Welcomes Two Returns to the Dinamo side. Kennedy Boateng and Andrei Mărginean reentered the first team.

Boateng had been sidelined after a clash with CFR Cluj during the regular season. Mărginean missed four rounds following an appendectomy.

Matteo Duțu was suspended for the derby. Other absentees included Karamoko, Bordușanu, Licsandru, and new signing George Pușcaș. Pușcaș was not match-fit.

Dinamo (4-3-3) starting XI

Universitatea Craiova: goalkeeper change and lineup choices

Filipe Coelho made a clear choice in goal. He removed Laurențiu Popescu from the starting role.

Filipe Coelho Benches Starter Laurențiu Popescu and handed the gloves to Pavlo Isenko. Isenko started for the first time since his red card in Constanța.

Popescu was dropped partly due to a risky exit that led to Bettaieb’s goal in the previous 0-1 defeat to FC Argeș. Cicâldău began the game on the bench.

Matei and Anzor returned after serving suspensions. The preferred attacking partnership featured Baiaram and Etim. M. Rădulescu remained sidelined with an injury.

Universitatea Craiova (3-5-2) starting XI

Both coaches faced selection issues ahead of the derby. Their choices shaped the opening fixture of the play-off’s second round.