The 2014–15 season was the 44th season of competitive football for Universitatea Craiova, and the first season for a team from Craiova in Liga I since 2011. Universitatea Craiova were promoted to the top league of the Romanian football league system after winning the 2013–14 Liga II season (Seria II).
Previous season positions Competition Position Liga II1st Cupa RomânieiFifth round
Kit Supplier: Joma / Sponsors: Sticky (back)
Universitatea Craiova signed a deal with manufacturer Joma after having used Macron in the previous season. The team presented the kit and the new signings on the 21st of June.
Home: The home kit is striped and in the traditional blue and white colors. This kit used the striped crest of the sports club until April, and then switched to the lion crest. Away: The away kit was all white with blue trims on the shorts. This kit used the striped crest for the entirety of the season. Third: The third kit had the same design as the home kit, but in black and yellow colors. It was unpopular with the fans, who wanted their team to play in blue or in white, and was used only once. Fourth: The fourth kit consisted of green shirts, black shorts and black socks. It was unpopular with the fans, who wanted their team to play in blue or in white, and was used only once.
Players
Squad information Player Date of birth (age) Since Signed from Apps Goals Goalkeepers1 Bojan Brać GK 2013 Hajduk Kula - -12 Cătălin Straton GK 2014 Vaslui - -22 Ionuț Irimia GK 2013 CSMS Iași - -34 Cristian Bălgrădean GK 2014 Dinamo București - - Defenders2 Sebastian Achim DF 2014 Petrolul Ploiești - -3 Stephane Acka DF 2013 FC U Craiova - -4 Cosmin Frăsinescu DF 2014 Gaz Metan Mediaș - -5 Bogdan Vătăjelu DF 2014 Metalul Reșița - -6 Kay DF 2014 Belenenses - -7 Gabriel Velcovici DF 2013 Turnu Severin - -7 Marius Briceag DF 2015 Râmnicu Vâlcea - -18 Ovidiu Dănănae DF 2014 Apollon Limassol - -19 Andrei Dumitraș DF 2015 Ceahlăul Piatra Neamț - -23 Andrei Sin DF 2013 Delta Tulcea - -23 Vlad Marcu DF 2014 FC U Craiova - -26 Adrian Avrămia DF 2013 CSMS Iași - -27 Nicușor Bancu DF 2014 Olt Slatina - -28 Madson DF 2014 Vaslui - - Midfielders8 Alexandru Mateiu MF 2014 Brașov - -10 Viorel Ferfelea MF 2013 Sportul Studențesc - -11 Alexandru Neacșa MF 2013 Corona Brașov - -13 Alexandru Băluță MF 2014 Viitorul Constanța - -14 Pablo Brandán MF 2014 Beitar Jerusalem - -15 Nuno Rocha MF 2014 Marítimo - -19 Mihăiţă Pleşan (C) MF 2013 Volga Nizhny Novgorod - -21 Adrian Cîrstea MF 2013 Academy - -24 Ionuț Tîrnăcop MF 2014 Universitatea Cluj - -30 Silviu Izvoranu MF 2013 Volyn Lutsk - -40 Dacian Varga MF 2013 Sportul Studențesc - - Forwards4 Costin Curelea FW 2013 Sportul Studențesc - -11 Tha'er Bawab FW 2014 Gaz Metan Mediaș - -16 Andrei Ivan FW 2013 Sporting Pitești - -17 Andrei Hergheligiu FW 2014 CSMS Iași - -21 Nerijus Valskis FW 2013 Sūduva Marijampolė - -
Transfers
In Date Player Moving from Fee Notes Source
Loans in Date Player Moving from Fee Notes Source
Out Date Player Moving to Fee Notes Source
Loans out Date Player Moving to Fee Notes Source
Overall transfer activity
Expenditure
Income
Net Totals
Pre-season and friendlies
Competitions
Overview
Liga I
The Liga I fixture list was announced on 2 July 2014.
Universitatea Craiova started their league campaign against Pandurii Targu Jiu in a thrilling match that ended in a 1–1 draw. The game saw over 15,000 fans flock to the "Ion Oblemenco" stadium to support the home team. Both teams began the game with caution, but Universitatea quickly took charge of the game, with Curelea coming close to scoring in the 13th minute, but his lobbed shot missed the target. The rest of the half saw Universitatea control the game but unable to find the final pass. The second half saw Ferfelea and Curelea creating more chances, and Pleșan's entry at halftime energized the home team's attack. Against the run of play, Pandurii took the lead in the 75th minute, when Shalaj took advantage of a lack of synchronisation in Craiova's defense. Despite Curelea missing several chances, including one that hit the crossbar, he eventually found the back of the net in the 87th minute to level the score at 1-1.
In their next match against Steaua Bucharest, Universitatea Craiova put up a valiant effort but ultimately lost 3–1. The Craiova team played without Mateiu and Pleșan, who were injured, and manager Jerry Gane experimented with Madson and Nuno Rocha in midfield. Despite conceding a goal in the third minute, Universitatea attacked Steaua relentlessly, and Băluță's chance in the second half went begging. Steaua proved too experienced for the young Craiova team, and the game ended 3–1 in favor of the home team.
Universitatea Craiova faced Viitorul Constanta in their next game, which ended 2-2. The visitors took the lead from a penalty, but two Curelea goals before halftime put the home team in front. It was a tight game, and Mitrea's second-half free-kick equalized for Viitorul, with both teams creating chances to win in the closing stages. The point was well-deserved for the Craiova team, who showed their fighting spirit.
Liga I table
Results summary
Results by round
Matches
Cupa României
Universitatea Craiova entered the Romanian Cup at the Round of 32.
Their first opponents were second division side FC Caransebeș. Playing with several second string players, Craiova started the game brightly and missed two early chances. Ferfelea's free-kick almost hit the target and Herghelegiu was unable to tap in the ball from inside the six-yard box. In the 25th minute Ferfelea's cross-shot was deflected in the goal by Caransebeș defender Goşa, and Craiova opened the score. After the goal, Craiova's players relaxed and Lupu equalized after a hesitation from the central defenders. The Students were unfazed by the goal and continued to attack, but they were unable to find the net. The numerical equilibrium was broken after Lupu was sent off in the 67th minute. Soon after, Ferfelea received a pass in the middle of the penalty area and scored the winning goal.
In the Round of 16 Universitatea was drawn to play at home against Viitorul Constanța. Craiova created a few early chances through Băluță and Ferfelea, but they were unable to score. Viitorul replied through ex-Craiova player Neacșa, who escaped in a one on one situation with the goalkeeper, but his weak shot was unable to threaten the goal and the first half ended scoreless. Craiova started the second half on the offensive, and their efforts were rewarded when a Curelea volley was boxed by Viitorul's goalkeeper to Băluță, who scored from close range. Despite playing in 10 men after the sending off of Puțanu, Viitorul equalized in stoppage time after a corner and sent the game into extra-time. In the 97th minute, Craiova winger Bancu suffered a double leg fracture that sidelined him for most of the remaining of the season. Mateiu scored the winning goal in the 112th minute and sent Craiova through to the quarter-finals.
Cupa Ligii
Universitatea Craiova entered the League Cup at the Play-off round.
Statistics Appearances and goals
Player Liga I Cupa României Cupa Ligii Total Goals Goals Goals Goals Goalkeepers12 GK Cătălin Straton 2 + 0 - 1 + 0 - - - 3 + 0 -22 GK Ionuț Irimia 1 + 0 - - - - - 1 + 0 -34 GK Cristian Bălgrădean 27 + 0 - 2 + 0 - - - 29 + 0 - Defenders2 DF Sebastian Achim 26 + 0 - 1 + 0 - - - 27 + 0 -3 DF Stephane Acka 26 + 1 - 2 + 0 - - - 28 + 1 -4 DF Cosmin Frăsinescu 27 + 1 - 3 + 0 - 1 + 0 - 31 + 1 -5 DF Bogdan Vătăjelu 33 + 0 1 2 + 0 - 1 + 0 - 36 + 0 16 DF Kay 10 + 5 - - - 1 + 0 - 11 + 5 -7 DF Gabriel Velcovici 0 + 3 - 1 + 0 - - - 1 + 3 -7 DF Marius Briceag 2 + 6 - - - - - 2 + 6 -18 DF Ovidiu Dănănae 1 + 0 - 1 + 0 - 1 + 0 - 3 + 0 -19 DF Andrei Dumitraș 4 + 4 - - - - - 4 + 4 -23 DF Andrei Sin - - 0 + 1 - - - 0 + 1 -26 DF Adrian Avrămia 0 + 1 - 0 + 1 - - - 0 + 2 -27 DF Nicușor Bancu 11 + 2 1 1 + 1 - 1 + 0 - 13 + 3 128 DF Madson 26 + 1 1 2 + 0 - 1 + 0 - 29 + 1 1 Midfielders8 MF Alexandru Mateiu 18 + 4 1 2 + 0 1 1 + 0 - 21 + 4 210 MF Viorel Ferfelea 6 + 6 1 3 + 0 1 - - 9 + 6 211 MF Alexandru Neacșa 1 + 2 - - - 0 + 1 - 1 + 3 -13 MF Alexandru Băluță 25 + 5 2 3 + 0 1 1 + 0 - 29 + 5 314 MF Pablo Brandán 20 + 2 4 2 + 0 - - - 22 + 2 415 MF Nuno Rocha 27 + 3 8 0 + 1 - - - 27 + 4 819 MF Mihăiţă Pleşan (C) 1 + 8 - 0 + 1 - - - 1 + 9 -21 MF Adrian Cîrstea 1 + 6 - 0 + 2 - - - 1 + 8 -24 MF Ionuț Tîrnăcop 23 + 2 3 1 + 0 - - - 24 + 2 330 MF Silviu Izvoranu 7 + 2 - 1 + 0 - - - 8 + 2 -40 MF Dacian Varga 1 + 3 - 1 + 0 - - - 2 + 3 - Forwards4 FW Costin Curelea 10 + 5 3 1 + 0 - 1 + 0 - 12 + 5 311 FW Tha'er Bawab 25 + 0 9 1 + 1 - - - 26 + 1 916 FW Andrei Ivan 3 + 14 1 1 + 0 - 1 + 0 - 5 + 14 117 FW Andrei Hergheligiu 6 + 14 3 1 + 1 - 0 + 1 - 7 + 16 321 FW Nerijus Valskis 0 + 1 - - - - - 0 + 1 -
Squad statistics {|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |- ! style="background: #006cb5; color: white;"| ! style="width:70px;background: #006cb5; color: white;"|Liga I ! style="width:70px;background: #006cb5; color: white;"|Cupa României ! style="width:70px;background: #006cb5; color: white;"|Cupa Ligii ! style="width:70px;background: #006cb5; color: white;"|Home ! style="width:70px;background: #006cb5; color: white;"|Away ! style="width:70px;background: #006cb5; color: white;"|Total Stats |- |align=left|Games played || 34 || 3 || 1 || 19 || 19 || 38 |- |align=left|Games won || 14 || 2 || 0 || 8 || 8 || 16 |- |align=left|Games drawn || 11 || 0 || 0 || 7 || 4 || 11 |- |align=left|Games lost || 9 || 1 || 1 || 4 || 7 || 11 |- |align=left|Goals scored || 40 || 4 || 0 || 21 || 23 || 44 |- |align=left|Goals conceded || 34 || 3 || 1 || 12 || 26 || 38 |- |align=left|Goal difference || +6 || +1 || -1 || +9 || -3 || +6 |- |align=left|Clean sheets || 13 || 0 || 0 || 9 || 4 || 13 |- |align=left|Goal by Substitute || 3 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 2 || 3 |- |align=left|Total shots || 339 || 22 || 8 || 210 || 159 || 369 |- |align=left|Shots on target || 121 || 10 || 4 || 68 || 67 || 135 |- |align=left|Corners || 177 || 11 || 6 || 116 || 78 || 194 |- |align=left|Players used || 32 || 26 || 13 || 29 || 29 || 33 |- |align=left|Offsides || 91 || 2 || 1 || 41 || 53 || 94 |- |align=left|Fouls suffered || 537 || 22 || 17 || 285 || 291 || 576 |- |align=left|Fouls committed || 484 || 19 || 16 || 255 || 264 || 519 |- |align=left|Yellow cards || 67 || 2 || 5 || 28 || 46 || 74 |- |align=left|Red cards || 4 || 0 || 1 || 3 || 2 || 5 |- |align=left|Average possession || 48.97% || 21.0% || 60.0% || 50.0% || 44.11% || 47.05% |- |align=left|Winning rate || 41.18% || 66.67% || 0.0% || 42.11% || 42.11% || 42.11%
Goalscorers
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! style="width:56px; background: #006cb5; color: white;" | Rank ! style="width:64px; background: #006cb5; color: white;" | Position ! style="width:200px; background: #006cb5; color: white;" | Name ! style="width:84px; background: #006cb5; color: white;" | Liga I ! style="width:84px; background: #006cb5; color: white;" | Cupa României ! style="width:84px; background: #006cb5; color: white;" | Cupa Ligii ! style="width:84px; background: #006cb5; color: white;" | Total |- | rowspan="1" | 1 | align=center| FW | align=left| Tha'er Bawab | 9
| 9 |- | rowspan="1" | 2 | align=center| MF | align=left| Nuno Rocha | 8
| 8 |- | rowspan="1" | 3 | align=center| MF | align=left| Pablo Brandán | 4
| 4 |- | rowspan="4" | 4 | align=center| MF | align=left| Ionuț Tîrnăcop | 3
| 3 |- | align=center| MF | align=left| Alexandru Băluță | 2 | 1
| 3 |- | align=center| FW | align=left| Costin Curelea | 3
| 3 |- | align=center| FW | align=left| Andrei Hergheligiu | 3
| 3 |- | rowspan="2" | 8 | align=center| MF | align=left| Alexandru Mateiu | 1 | 1
| 2 |- | align=center| MF | align=left| Viorel Ferfelea | 1 | 1
| 2 |- | rowspan="4" | 10 | align=center| FW | align=left| Andrei Ivan | 1
| 1 |- | align=center| DF | align=left| Nicușor Bancu | 1
| 1 |- | align=center| DF | align=left| Bogdan Vătăjelu | 1