Rapid’s captain, Cristi Săpunaru (40 years old), had an inappropriate reaction to his coach, Bogdan Lobonţ (46 years old), after the failure with Craiova.
Rapid lost, at home, against the University of Craova, score 1-2, in a match from the seventh stage of the Romanian Superleague play-off.
Andrei Ivan (30) and Alex Creţu (90+6) scored for Olteni, while Borisav Burmaz (77) scored for Giuleşti.
The goal that threw Giulestiul into the air was in the very last moments of the game. Totally disappointed, the rapidists did not even have the strength to react in any way.
The players fell to the turf. Coach Bogdan Lobonţ entered the field and tried to cheer up his students, but was met with Cristi Săpunaru’s refusal.
The Rapid technician wanted to help the defender-captain to get up, but the latter refused the gesture made by Lobont.
How Şumudică explained Săpunaru’s reaction: “On the background of nervousness”
Marius Şumudică, former player and coach, commented on Săpunaru’s negative reaction to Lobonţ.
“First of all, I consider that against that background of nervousness… I know Săpunaru very well, I also worked with him in Turkey for three years, he was at Astra, we lived extraordinary moments together.
He is a professional, he would never make such a gesture in front of the cameras. I’m saying it was overplayed in the media. Without defending Lobont or Săpunaru…
That’s how he felt, to stand up alone. He preferred to get up on his own. It’s a game moment that happens. There was no hand extended by Lobont that Săpunaru refused”, said Şumudica, according to Fanatik.
It is not the first gesture of defiance by the Rapid players towards the coach. Lobont had the same problem with Krasniqi, while Bergodi had to deal with the nerves of Papeau and Braun.
Learn more about: fast, Bogdan Lobont, Cristi Sapunaru, Marius Sumudica
