Universitatea Craiova begin the new SuperLiga season against UTA Arad with Filipe Coelho already treating it as a serious early test. The Craiova coach has made it clear that the opener will not be judged by reputation alone, especially after UTA were the one team they failed to beat last season.
That is what gives Craiova Vs Uta Arad a sharper edge than a standard first-round fixture. Last season, the two meetings produced a 3-3 draw in Arad after Craiova had led 3-0, and a 2-1 UTA win in Craiova. For Coelho, that is enough evidence to expect another demanding night, even with his side carrying momentum from a busy week.
Why Craiova are already on alert
Coelho did not hide his respect for the visitors. He said the match will be very difficult, pointing out that UTA kept the same coach and the same style of play, which makes them a familiar but still awkward opponent. He also stressed that seasons are different and that what Craiova achieved last year can motivate other teams even more when they face them now.
The key message from the coach is that Craiova must focus on their own process. That fits the mood around the club after a demanding spell that has already included three official matches. In the past week, Craiova beat ML Vitebsk 4-1 and 1-0 in the first preliminary round of the UEFA Champions League, then drew 1-1 with U Cluj before winning 5-3 on penalties to lift the Supercupa României.
So this is not a team arriving cold. It is a team arriving busy, successful and still trying to settle into the rhythm of a new campaign. Coelho said all the players are fit and available, which gives Craiova a strong base, but also leaves him with selection decisions shaped by the demands of the week.
UTA bring an uncomfortable memory for Craiova
One reason this fixture stands out is simple: UTA were the only opponent Craiova did not beat at least once last season. That alone gives the visitors a degree of psychological comfort, even before a ball is kicked in the new campaign.
Coelho also highlighted that UTA have already played three official matches, which should help them feel sharper in the early stages of the season. He even suggested that their squad is deep enough to form three competitive teams, not just two, which is a strong compliment and a warning at the same time.
For Craiova, the challenge is to make the match about their own standards rather than the history of the fixture. Coelho said that against the champion, no extra motivation is needed. What matters more is enthusiasm, a full performance and the concentration to stay alert throughout the game.
The first real test of the new season
This is why the opener matters beyond the points table. Craiova have already ticked off major targets in Europe and in the Supercupa României, but Coelho wants the same mentality now in the league. He was direct about the objective: start the season well and collect the first three points.
That is the practical challenge of Craiova Vs Uta Arad. It is not just about one match, but about showing that a team capable of strong results across competitions can carry that level into the league as well. If Craiova control the game, it will reinforce the sense that this squad is already moving in the right direction. If UTA make it awkward again, last season’s pattern will quickly become part of the new one.
Either way, the opening round has a real edge to it. Craiova know exactly who they are facing, what happened last season and what they need to do now. The response will tell us a lot about how ready they are to turn a promising week into a strong SuperLiga start.
