I was waiting for Dinamo – Rapid to end, in order to comment how my favorite team stands at the end of 2024, and what are the certain prospects for 2025. Horrible game. Both teams played miserable. If somebody would tell them at the beginning of the game that it will end 0-0, both would have taken that. Disappointing. This was the impression, especially for me as a Rapid fan, considering that this point doesn’t help in any way. On the contrary, it decreases the chances for Rapid to reach the play-off. So I will switch my attention from this useless game, and touch the real important topics: the expected output of the ongoing seasons, which will be resumed early in 2025.
Starting point, the current ranking, at the end of 2024:
Mentioning that fcsb will win its last match for sure, and then the situation looks even more complicated. For a team which played in the last two years, the current situation is alarming. Not only Rapid finishes the year in a disappointing 8th position, but in essence only the 6th position can be reached, because six points gap to 5th position, CFR Cluj, isn’t reachable in nine matches. Rapid keeps one shot. But does Rapid really have chances? Rapid didn’t beat any of the seven top teams, draw in a lot of miserable matches, so how much will help the five games they still have to play on Giulești? I already foresee draws – maximum – with Craiova and fcsb. Maybe some victories against Slobozia and Botoșani, and a bit concerned about the prospects with Iași. I would bet on a 2-2-1 performance at home. How away games will look like?
Rapid, 41 points at the end of the regular season?
Guiding by Șumudică’s principle, one point at the start of the game is a blessing. For sure Rapid will play for one point at Cluj, and I don’t see them winning by any means at Ovidiu, Galați and Sibiu. I really think that Rapid could maximum get four points away: an alleged lucky victory, with Hermannstadt or Farul and that would be it. How does this translates, in the end, for the next nine games? Simple: 3-3-3. This looks like a moderate prediction, but it shouldn’t be this way for a team such is Rapid Bucharest. 12 more points, then, on top of the existing 29 –> 41. It means Petrolul should not gather more than 9, and Sepsi no more than 10. Quite complicated, if you ask me. My current opinion is that Rapid stands no chance in qualifying for the play-off this year which would be, of course, a disaster.
Șumudică did better than Lennon, but not outstanding
OK, everything started with Neil Lennon, who, in the first six games, before being sacked, gathered only five points, from five draws. But how good really is Marius Șumudică? The coach who replaced the British, and came back to Rapid after 13 years. In 15 games, Șumudică won 6, finished level in 6, and lost 4. 53% points out of the potential total is not bad, but still not good enough for a result that now looks to be sleeping: qualification in the play-off. Is it, then, reasonable to keep Marius Șumudică as head coach? For now, 100% he should be kept. But a 8th final position can be counterbalanced only by winning the Romanian Cup. A very interesting chapter, to which we are switching gears right now.
Rapid has all the chances in the world to win the Romanian Cup!
For the first time in 12 years, Rapid made it to the quarterfinals, a great performance on paper, but after victories with one second league team, Afumați, and another one with an (almost) second league team, Botoșani. Sure, results are results, and we should keep the pragmatic path, but we need also to mention that in the next phase, Rapid will play against Metalul Buzău, a team that not only didn’t make it in the first league, but it is qualified in the second tier for the first time in their history. Then, normally, Rapid Bucharest should not make any mistake, and needs to play the semifinals, where they might face another weak team, Alba Iulia, Reșița, Iași, or Hermannstadt. I mean, the qualifying in the final is a must, given the circumstances, and only there Rapid might face a tougher opponent, like Craiova, or CFR Cluj. This might be the escape for Șumudică.
Who needs to leave Rapid?
In the end, though, very honestly speaking, as I saw the team playing, my very conservative, but I guess realistic bet is that Rapid will finish 8th, and lose the Cup final, which, of course, will ensure a disastrous season, given the circumstances, and then the board will need to seek another way of operation. Hopefully I will be wrong, Rapid will push the restart button in 2025, finish in the play-off, fight for a place on the podium, win the Cup – this looks easier than ever!!! – and build a momentum for next year. For this, though, I am not sure what players should be brought in, because I am relying on the board to identify the best options, but for sure I know who needs to go:
- Blazek
- Micovschi
- Gojkovic
- Hasani
- Jambor
I would have put here Burmaz as well, but I will give him a shot by the end of the season. He has talent, a lot, and I hope he will regain shape. The others bring nothing to the team. I can’t state how should Mendes be dealt with, as I didn’t see him playing at all, at relevant level. Unfortunately for the guys above, though, all my departure predictions in the last years confirmed. Because it was obvious they are not a fit for this club. These five let go, and maybe three quality players brought in, and then Rapid really can have a chance. Unless then, if nothing unexpected happens, my prediction remains.