We invite you to get to know one of Politehnica’s debutants in the autumn season of League 2. Born on 24 September 2004 in Timisoara, Daniel Olariu started playing football at CFR Timisoara and joined Politehnica’s youth centre in 2015.

Although our team was in a delicate moment of the season, in Brasov in the 14th round of League 2, with the score 1-0 for the white-violets, coach Nicolae Croitoru decided to send Dani on the pitch. Our young player played without much fuss in his first senior minutes and even came close to scoring in the 88th minute, when his long-range shot was barely cleared by the goalkeeper in the corner. In last year’s last official match against Astra in Giurgiu, “Oli” made his second appearance in the second division, alongside his teammate Ervin Bakos. Daniel Olariu is also a student at the mathematics and computer science department of a local high school.

Dani, you made your debut in autumn with FC Brasov, how was this moment for you?

It was a unique experience, a moment I have been waiting for for a long time. I enjoyed it immensely and I was honoured to represent Politehnica on the pitch. Thanks to the coach and the staff, who trusted me. Even though the score was a close one, 1-0 for us, in the 79th minute I was introduced on the pitch.

And you were also very close to the goal, the commentator of the match made a mistake and said the name of another teammate, but we know that it was you who shot!

I saw it too, I watched the replay. I got the ball from Denis (Radu) on the right side and, you know what they say: the biggest miss you can have is not to try.

You were born in 2004 and you started football at CFR, right?

Yes, at CFR Timisoara I had Mr Alin Ionescu as my coach, then I came here to Poli with him and we were then taken over as a group by Mr Sorin Brîndescu.

How was it for you adapting with the seniors, how do you feel the atmosphere of the “big” locker room?

It was very good, they welcomed me very well, they encouraged me, they trusted me, all of them. Especially during the match against Brasov, everyone on the bench, then after the match they all congratulated me, encouraged me and wished me well.

Who do you get on best with among your colleagues, who advises you the most?

Among the seniors, Alin Ignea gives me advice, I play as a striker, central midfielder, and Zaluschi again, so, about playing on the edge of offside, Scuti also tells me things.

What is your position on the pitch and what position do you prefer to play more?

I’m a central midfielder or striker, in the past a midfielder, now more of a striker, I play whatever I need to. Honestly I like to play more as a striker, to score goals.

You had a good run with the 2004 generation in the Elite.

We weren’t national champions, but we had some nice championships together, many memories and, of course, good results.

I think you can’t wait to play at home and with a home crowd!?

Yes, of course, I can’t wait for the matches to start, to play as much as possible, to help the team as much as possible and to give everything for Poli!