- Recent meetings: Hermannstadt and Voluntari have been involved in two close games in recent encounters in Romania’s league system
- Home advantage and momentum: Hermannstadt’s top-flight experience and home advantage mean they are favored for the win but Voluntari have attacking momentum
- Pressure: Both sides are experienced in the pressure of promotion/relegation ties and will take no prisoners this Sunday
Top-flight status on the line for Hermannstadt
AFC Hermannstadt, who finished 14th in the SuperLiga play-out, have the home advantage when they face FC Voluntari in the first leg of their promotion/relegation playoff for the 2026 season. A 2-0 win over FCSB kept them in the running for this two-legged tie and now they have a chance to stay in the top division.
Sergiu Buș was Hermannstadt’s hero in that game and the striker has an eye for the big occasion. Coach Dorinel Munteanu has made them a compact unit and the Black and Whites will look to stay compact and counterattack with their set-piece routines in the knowledge that one strike could be enough to secure victory.
Voluntari’s recent style of play has changed a lot since the arrival of Florin Pîrvu and they have become an attacking force that can play with great freedom within a disciplined structure.
Voluntari bring great momentum into clash
Attacking approach
The Red and Blues have used their wing-backs to provide width and their multiple attacking options have caused chaos for any defence that has not been in its shape. Voluntari stormed through the Liga II promotion play-off, finishing third with 64 points and setting a goalscoring record in their group.
Key players
Matko Babić, who scored several goals during the play-off phase, leads the frontline with the in-form Adam Nemec and Remus Guțea also providing goals.
Defensive leadership
But Andrei Pițian marshals a defensive line, providing leadership and set-piece strength in high-stakes moments. Voluntari’s style is the complete opposite to Hermannstadt’s and it will be a chess match of sorts with the visitors looking to keep their shape and the hosts wanting to make vertical runs.
Home side have edge in a tight encounter
Hermannstadt finished their play-out campaign unbeaten in five games, although four of those matches were draws and the one win was the crucial one over FCSB. They should be able to contain Voluntari for long periods at Municipal Sibiu, where the conditions should be perfect for soccer in late-May, but the visitors can be dangerous when they get the ball back and will ensure this two-legged affair will remain very open for the second leg.
Cristian Neguț and Aviel Zargary can provide some pace and ingenuity on the counterattack for Hermannstadt, while David Lazar is a good keeper to have if they have to keep a clean sheet.
- The odds for this game look a bit skewed in Hermannstadt’s favour with the hosts 1.98, Voluntari 3.8 and the draw 3.2, but we’ll go for the home side to edge a low-scoring game in a cagey first leg.
- The Under 2.5 goals market is 1.67 and that looks about right in what should be a tactical battle.
