Petrolul Ploiești secures a crucial victory under coach Ricardo Sousa

Petrolul Ploiești has climbed to second place in Liga 1, showcasing their potential under the guidance of Portuguese coach Ricardo Sousa. In a recent match, they triumphed over Voluntari with a score of 2-1, marking a significant achievement for the team this season.

Ricardo Sousa, who took the helm of Petrolul in the summer of 2026, has a wealth of experience, having coached since 2015 and worked with various teams such as Sanjoanense, Lusitano VRSA, and Al Ain. At 47 years old, Sousa is committed to nurturing talent and helping his players excel in the sport.

One of his notable success stories includes Ousmane Diomande, who was sold to Nottingham Forest for an impressive 50 million euros after training with Sousa at the U23 team in Mafra. Sousa emphasizes the importance of such examples, stating, 'Jucătorii trebuie să se uite la aceste exemple și să devină din ce în ce mai buni.'

Despite the team's recent success, Petroliul is currently facing the challenges of insolvency. However, Sousa remains optimistic about the future, asserting, 'Căutăm cea mai bună variantă pentru viitor.' His determination to foster a winning mentality within the team is evident, as he believes in the potential of his players to become stars in Romania.

As Sousa continues to push for improvement, he encourages his athletes to adopt a mindset of daily progress. 'Dacă în fiecare zi vrem să fim un pic mai buni, vor fi mai buni în viitor,' he remarks, highlighting his focus on continuous development. With such a dedicated coach at the helm, the future looks promising for Petrolul Ploiești.