 In 2005 after Dică lost the chance to play in the UEFA Champions League, due to FCSB being eliminated by Rosenborg BK, he had another successful season in the UEFA Cup.The Bucharest club defeated the likes of Lens, Heereenven, Real Betis and their Romanian rivals Rapid București, on their way to the UEFA CUP semi-final, where they were eliminated by English Premier League club, Middlesbrough.On 13 September 2006, Dică scored twice in the 4–1 away win against Dynamo Kyiv in Steaua București's opening game in the UEFA Champions League, this being his first ever appearance in said tournament.