FC Argeș have landed the first blow in the fourth round of the SuperLiga, with Pîrvu opening the scoring to put Universitatea Craiova under early pressure in Craiova Vs Argeș Pitești. For a team widely viewed as the favourite before kickoff, this was exactly the kind of start Craiova did not want.
The match carried extra context for Universitatea Craiova, who returned from Finland after a 1-1 draw with KuPS in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the Europa League. They were already dealing with the demands of travel and rotation, and now they have a live league problem to solve as FC Argeș try to protect a 1-0 lead.
Before the game, Dani Coman had gone live on Digi Sport Matinal and explained how he saw the meeting with Universitatea Craiova. The FC Argeș president's message was simple: his side would go into the match with belief, even against stronger opposition on paper.
Why this early goal matters
That opening strike changes the tone of the contest immediately. Universitatea Craiova had the ball, the home expectation and the better individual quality, but FC Argeș have shown that a well-timed goal can reset all of that.
It also underlines a recurring football truth: being the favourite means little if you cannot control the first moments of the match. Craiova had already created one major chance through Cicâldău, but missing that opportunity and then falling behind leaves them chasing the game in a way they would have wanted to avoid.
The wider picture matters too. Universitatea Craiova are juggling league duty with European commitments, and that can affect rhythm. FC Argeș, by contrast, arrived on the back of a 1-0 win over Csikszereda in the third round and have now given themselves a platform to build on again.
A result that could shape the mood in Bănie
For Craiova, the concern is not just the scoreline. It is whether they can respond with enough clarity and control after a difficult European week and an unexpected setback at home.
For FC Argeș, the job is now about discipline and concentration. Leading at Universitatea Craiova is one thing; finishing the game is another. But with Pîrvu already on the scoresheet and Dani Coman confident enough to back his team before kick-off, Argeș have given themselves a real chance to turn an early upset into something more substantial.
If you want the market angle as well, the Under 2.5 Goals at 1.63 for Universitatea Craiova Vs Argeș Pitești reflects the expectation of a tight contest, and this scoreline has done nothing to weaken that view.
