Matei Popa, 19, was titularized again by FCSB and had to be replaced after a collision with Joao Paulo in the 44th minute that left him lying on the grass and appearing concussed.
The incident came after a free kick by Unirea Slobozia in FCSB's penalty area; Slobozia players had put the ball in the net but the goal was disallowed for offside. Popa remained down while FCSB's medical staff came onto the pitch to give him first aid.
Popa managed to stand up but could not continue playing. Ștefan Târnovanu was sent on to replace him in goal, marking the end of Popa's afternoon — his 13th appearance in FCSB's goal this season — and triggering a second substitution for the home side.
The second change brought on U21 player Alexandru Stoian for Juri Cisotti. The alterations forced David Miculescu to move from centre forward to the right wing while Stoian entered the attacking line, shifting the team's shape before halftime.
The sequence that produced the injury illustrated how quickly a single set piece can change a match. What looked like a dangerous phase for Slobozia ended with a disallowed goal, an injured goalkeeper and two substitutions consumed by FCSB before the break.
Those changes mattered in context. FCSB came into the game described as already qualified for the Conference League playoff semifinal and leading the play-out standings by three points over UTA Arad, while Unirea Slobozia occupied 15th place in the relegation zone. FCSB also entered the match with the most prolific play-out attack, credited with 61 goals, and a recent history against Slobozia that included four meetings — two wins, one loss and a draw.
The immediate friction in Ghencea was simple and sharp: Slobozia’s dangerous free kick produced a goal that was ruled offside, but the same phase ended with a concussion scare for FCSB's goalkeeper. The club’s medical team handled the situation on the pitch, and the coaches opted to bring on a back-up keeper and promote a U21 attacker, a choice that reshuffled responsibility across the front line and defense alike.
Popa left the field in tears, a clear human moment amid tactical adjustments. His early exit not only ended his day at goal but forced FCSB into two substitutions and a midgame reconfiguration that underlined how fragile momentum can be — even for a side sitting atop the play-out with continental ambitions.
