Gheorghe Hagi’s Farul comes back from two behind against FCSB to win him second Superliga title

Farul Constanta, a team owned and managed by Romanian football legend Gheorghe Hagi, won the Superliga title on May 21 after a dramatic victory (3-2) against FCSB.

This is Hagi’s second title in the Romanian top football league after the one won in 2017 with Viitorul Constanta, a team that merged in 2021 with Farul Constanta, a team with a history of over 100 years but no major trophies won so far.

Hagi’s strategy, which brought him the title in 2017 and again in 2023, is centered on promoting young talents trained at his football academy. Three key players who appeared in the decisive match against FCSB are just 17 years old.

Farul Constanta had a one-point lead on FCSB before the match on Sunday and a victory was enough to bring them the title. However, the start of the match was a nightmare for Hagi’s squad, which was two goals behind after just 18 minutes. Adrian Sut and Italian striker Andrea Campagno scored FCSB’s goals. The Bucharest team started to lose steam after the first half an hour and Farul took over the game. Brazilian forward Mateus Santos scored just before half-time, Teodor Baluta leveled the score 15 minutes into the second half and 20-year-old forward Louis Munteanu brought Farul the victory four minutes before the end of the match.

Farul Constanta dominated the season as it ended the regular season on top of the league and didn't give up the lead throughout the play-off. Hagi's team thus ends the series of wins by CFR Cluj, which won the previous five seasons. Meanwhile, FCSB, a team controlled by local mogul Gigi Becali, continues its dry spell. The Bucharest team won its last title in 2015.

(Photo source: Farul Constanta Facebook page)