The Astra Chronicle
Match18 Nov 2026
The small margins put Astra out
Out, 1‑2 to Dinamo Bucharest, and the long argument about which of the small moments decided it. The league is all there is now, and everybody knows it.
Squad23 Nov 2026
A one-man rearguard from Alexandru Dragusin
There were 8 saves in it, and at least three that had no business being saves at all. The ten outfield players owe him a drink and they know it.
Loan watch23 Nov 2026
Rafael Xavier keeps scoring at Cibalia
15 appearances away from home and 19 goals to show for them. Every one of them makes next summer's conversation a little more expensive.
Squad23 Nov 2026
Arturo Cipriani in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Astra this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Player ratings23 Nov 2026
Vlad Cicaldau runs at them all day
Successful dribbles: 20. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.
Squad23 Nov 2026
Astra lose Razvan Deac
34 days, the medical staff say, and medical staff are optimists by profession. The team sheet will look wrong without him.
In brief
- Squad Adrian Mazilu falls out with a teammate over standards
- Market Ovidiu Iancu linked with a move away