The new season of Romania’s top-tier Liga 1 kicked off today with Universitatea Cluj claiming an impressive 4–1 away victory over league newcomers FC Metaloglobus București. Lithuanian national team goalkeeper Edvinas Gertmonas, who was a key figure for Cluj last season, started the match on the bench.
Gertmonas, who made 35 league appearances last season as the club’s first-choice keeper, played a crucial role in helping Universitatea Cluj secure a remarkable fourth-place finish — the club’s highest league position since the 1971/72 season. That achievement also marked their return to European competition after decades away. However, in the season opener, head coach Ioan Ovidiu Sabău opted to start 20-year-old Romanian prospect Ștefan Lefter, who served as Gertmonas’ backup last season.
The match itself saw Cluj lay the foundation for their win in the second half. After conceding an equalizer in the 53rd minute to make it 1–1, Universitatea responded with three unanswered goals in the final 35 minutes to cruise to a dominant 4–1 win.
Next up for Universitatea Cluj in Liga 1 is a home fixture next Saturday against UTA Arad. Following that, the club will return to European competition the following Thursday, taking on Armenian side Ararat-Armenia in continental action.
