Petrolul Ploiesti defied recent form to snatch a hard-fought 1-0 away win at Arges Pitesti on Saturday, courtesy of Adrian Chică-Roșă’s decisive second-half strike at Stadionul Nicolae Dobrin—a result that reshapes the Liga I table and delivers a blow to Arges’ title ambitions.

It was a contest defined by organization, resilience, and a clinical edge in contrast to Arges’ frustration and wastefulness. The hosts, under pressure to cement their top-four credentials, dominated possession from the start—holding the ball for 60% of the match and firing off 16 shots. However, their attacking trio of Ricardo Matos, Adel Bettaieb, and Caio Ferreira struggled to pierce a disciplined Petrolul back line marshaled by Paul Papp and Yohan Roche.

The match’s pivotal moment arrived just after the hour mark. In the 63rd minute, Robert Salceanu broke free down the right, finding space behind Arges’ fullbacks. His sharp cross evaded a crowded penalty area, meeting Chică-Roșă, who timed his run and finished with composure to put the visitors ahead. Arges goalkeeper David Lazar could do little, and the Petrolul traveling support erupted as Chică-Roșă sprinted to the corner flag in celebration.

Despite their deficit, Arges pressed with renewed urgency. Their passing remained crisp—442 completed at 81% accuracy—but their cutting edge eluded them. The hosts managed only two shots on target all afternoon, repeatedly thwarted by an inspired Raul Balbarau in the Petrolul goal and last-ditch defending from Roche and Prce.

Petrolul’s approach was pragmatic and occasionally bruising: the visitors committed 20 fouls and picked up three yellow cards as they disrupted Arges’ rhythm. The match turned increasingly ill-tempered late on, with cards shown to both sides in stoppage time as tempers frayed. Arges threw on fresh attackers in a desperate search for an equalizer, but substitutions could not alter their fate.

For Arges Pitesti and coach Bogdan Ioan Andone, it was a night of regret. The team’s home dominance wavered, and they will look to rebound after a rare home defeat—a result all the more galling given their recent run of four consecutive home wins.

For Carmel Barbulescu’s Petrolul, the clean sheet and the three points could change the trajectory of their season. Having come into the match off a string of defeats, this gritty performance—capped by Chică-Roșă’s winner—offers a blueprint for survival, or even revival, in the months ahead.

Key Moment:

• 63’ — Adrian Chică-Roșă (Petrolul Ploiesti), assisted by Robert Salceanu

Stat Leaders:

• Arges Pitesti: 60% possession, 16 shots (2 on target), 7 corners
• Petrolul Ploiesti: 8 shots (3 on target), 20 fouls, 2 saves by Balbarau

For extended highlights and expert analysis, see the official match recap on YouTube via the “Digi Sport” and “Look Sport” channels, both of which boast over 100,000 subscribers and provide verified coverage of Romanian Liga I fixtures. Their detailed recaps capture all key moments—including Chică-Roșă’s goal and the late yellow-card drama—with expert commentary and high-definition match footage.