CS Universitatea Craiova produced a professional and ruthless performance in the International Club Friendly against CSM Slatina, winning 4-0 at Stadionul Municipal on Sunday, October 4, 2026. The Liga I side controlled the match from the early stages, scored at key intervals, and never allowed their lower-division hosts a realistic route back into the contest.

The result will please the Craiova coaching staff, who used the fixture as an opportunity to sharpen attacking patterns, test squad depth, and give minutes to players needing rhythm during the October international break. For CSM Slatina, the scoreline was harsh in moments, but the match offered valuable experience against stronger opposition.

Match Overview

The friendly kicked off at 16:00 local time in Slatina, with CS Universitatea Craiova immediately taking the initiative. The visitors pressed high, circulated the ball quickly through midfield, and looked to isolate their wide attackers against Slatina’s full-backs. CSM Slatina, organized in a compact 4-4-2 block, initially tried to absorb pressure and spring counterattacks through the channels.

That plan lasted only until the 14th minute. Once Craiova found the opening goal, the match settled into a clear pattern: the Liga I club dominated possession, created chances from both flanks, and forced Slatina into long defensive spells. By the hour mark, the game was effectively decided, but Craiova continued to push for more goals and added a fourth late on to complete a convincing 4-0 victory.

Key Moments and Goal Timeline

• 14th minute – 0-1: Alexandru Cicaldău opened the scoring after a quick move down the right. The winger cut inside and curled a low shot beyond the Slatina goalkeeper, setting the tone for Craiova’s attacking control.
• 33rd minute – 0-2: Jovan Marković doubled the lead with a composed finish inside the penalty area. A sharp passing sequence pulled the Slatina defense out of shape, and Marković converted from close range.
• 61st minute – 0-3: Alexandru Mitriță made it three from the penalty spot after a foul on Craiova’s advancing midfielder. Mitriță sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and placed the ball into the bottom corner.
• 79th minute – 0-4: Andrei Ivan completed the scoring with a powerful run and finish. The substitute broke through the middle, held off a challenge, and struck low past the goalkeeper to seal the 4-0 win.

Between the goals, CSM Slatina had brief spells of possession and won a few set pieces in promising areas, but they could not seriously trouble the Craiova defense. The best home moment came in the second half when a quick counter produced a low cross that was cleared at the near post.

Tactical Story: Craiova’s Press and Width

CS Universitatea Craiova lined up with an aggressive 4-3-3 shape. The midfield trio controlled the center of the pitch, while the full-backs pushed high to create overloads on the flanks. That width was central to Craiova’s success: Slatina’s back four was stretched repeatedly, and the gaps between the full-backs and center-backs became easy targets.

Without the ball, Craiova pressed with intent. Slatina’s defenders were given little time to play out from the back, and several turnovers occurred in dangerous areas. When Slatina did manage to bypass the first press, Craiova’s midfielders recovered quickly and prevented any sustained attacking momentum.

CSM Slatina’s approach was understandable. Sitting deep and defending in numbers gave them a chance to stay in the game early, but once Craiova scored, the home side had to push higher. That only created more space for Craiova’s quick forwards, which led to the second, third, and fourth goals.

Standout Players

Alexandru Mitriță was at the heart of Craiova’s best attacking moments. He drifted between the lines, linked play intelligently, and converted his penalty with confidence. His movement repeatedly pulled Slatina’s midfield out of position.

Jovan Marković offered a strong focal point in the box. His goal was a reward for intelligent positioning, and his hold-up play allowed Craiova’s wide players to join the attack. Alexandru Cicaldău also impressed with his direct running and composed opener.

For CSM Slatina, the goalkeeper made several saves to keep the score from becoming even more one-sided. The captain and central defenders worked hard under constant pressure, while the midfielders showed flashes of quality on the counter. It was a difficult afternoon, but not one without lessons.

Match Stats at a Glance