Filiaşi vs Oltul Curtişoara - Cupa României

Tactical intrigue takes centre stage on August 5, 2026 as Filiaşi and Oltul Curtişoara prepare to square off at the home ground, with both managers known for their strategic nuance in the Cupa României. Michael Carrick's side are set to face Paris Saint-Germain in Sweden on Saturday afternoon with the aim of building on last weekend's win over Atletico Madrid.

Both camps will view the Cupa României meeting at the home ground as an opportunity to put a marker down, regardless of where they currently stand. Filiaşi's recent form is difficult to quantify, but the occasion itself should bring the best out of them. Oltul Curtişoara's away form is hard to read, but they will arrive with the belief that they can trouble their hosts. Man Utd have still accumulated the most points across the league since his return in January.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. Filiaşi will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Oltul Curtişoara must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. A month before his death, he was also arrested in Arkansas on charges including possession of a controlled substance.

The fixture features no shortage of talent, and the league's top marksman Andrei Trandafir — 2 goals this term — will be one to watch. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has been praised by defender Josko Gvardiol for his early sessions with the team.

The fixture has the feel of a coin-flip, and picking a winner with any conviction would require a braver pundit than most. With the sides so closely matched, a 1-1 stalemate looks the most likely way this one ends. With positions in the Cupa României table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. The club are understood to favour a profile closer to Aurelien Tchouameni or a Premier League‑proven alternative rather than Manu Kone.