 On 17 May, Niculae helped his team to maintain their lead three rounds before the final wrap-up, netting Dinamo's second in a 3–1 win against FC Timișoara.However, three defeats in a row combined with Timişoara regaining their six points back from CAS, saw Dinamo ending on the third place.He ended his first season since his return scoring 12 times in Liga I, and 14 overall.