Romania returns in less than two weeks to a final tournament, after an 8-year absence from this level, but even the most optimistic fan of the tricolors knows that, in Germany, the national team will start with a second chance, especially in the first two matches, against Ukraine (June 17) and Belgium (June 22).
Ianis Hagi, introduced to improve the game, did not show much. PHOTO: The Truth Archive
Perhaps that is why, this year, three of the four friendlies established by the federation were against teams against which the tricolors started with the first chance. With Northern Ireland (1-1), Bulgaria and Liechtenstein (Friday, 21.00, Antena 1). The only exception was the friendly with Colombia which, unfortunately, had a bit of “fun” with us until it took its foot off the accelerator.
Romania's strategy regarding the choice of opponents in the test matches can have two reasons. First of all, it was probably desired to make the last tactical adjustments, in front of teams that would give you this possibility, without “choke“. Then, the selector Edward Iordănescu definitely wanted his players to go to Euro 2024, with good morale, stringing together some successful performances.
Unfortunately, this second objective was missed in both friendly matches in March in which Romania had poor to alarming performances! And the worrying trend continued, on Tuesday, at the Steaua Stadium, in the test with the modest team of Bulgaria, which ended the preliminaries for Euro 2024 in the last place in the group! After Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro and Lithuania, with only 4 points from eight games.
Even in front of such a modest team, Romania showed, at least in the first 45 minutes, an erased game. Basically, excluding the two good opportunities that Drăguș wasted (19 and 43), the match was one without rhythm, just like a friendly without stakes.
Penalty scored by Stanciu
After this inconclusive half, Romania started the second half strongly, with a penalty scored by Nicolae Stanciu (50). And missed by Man, whose shot was parried by Dyulgerov.
Two minutes after that, Bulgaria went close to opening the scoring, but Nita saved us with an excellent save. Against the background of an increasingly weak game, Edward Iordănescu gave the go-ahead for changes, in the 60th minute. Marius Marin, Mihăilă and Drăguș left, Ianis Hagi, Florinel Coman and Bîrligea entered. Unfortunately, even these moves did not revive the game of the tricolors. So the series of changes continued, Bancu and Rus also left the field, being replaced by Mogoș and Nedelcearu, respectively, in the 69th minute. And the captain Nicolae Stanciu was removed by the selector, Darius Olaru being preferred in his place, after 77 minutes.
The result of these lane changes? Zero bar! Romania completed its desolating evening, in front of a team that didn't show much either: 0-0 with Bulgaria. And the national team remains winless in 2024! A problem that we will solve, however, on Friday, when we face Liechtenstein, also at the Steaua Stadium.
But on June 17, when we face Ukraine in the first match of Euro 2024, a much improved game will be needed if we are to hope for anything other than defeat.
SEE THE START FORMULA FOR ROMANIA IN THE FRIENDLY WITH BULGARIA
19,021
of spectators they attended the Romania-Bulgaria friendly, hosted by the Steaua Stadium.
Lot of Romania
*Goalkeepers: Niță (Gaziantep), H. Moldovan (Atletico Madrid), Târnovanu (FCSB), Sava (CFR Cluj)
*Backs: Rațiu (Rayo Vallecano), Mogoș (CFR Cluj), Drăgușin (Tottenham), Racovițan (Rakow), Rus (Pafos), Nedelcearu (Palermo), Burcă (Al-Okhdood), Bancu (Universitatea Craiova);
*Midfielders: Sorescu (Gaziantep), M. Marin (Pisa), Cicâldău (Konyaspor), R. Marin (Empoli), Stanciu (Damac), Șut (FCSB), Olaru (FCSB), Grameni (Farul Constanța), Man (Parma), Mihăilă (Parma), I. Hagi (Alaves), Coman (FCSB);
*Forwarders: Drăguș (Gaziantep), Pușcaș (Bari), Alibec (Muaither), Bîrligea (CFR Cluj).
When and where is Romania playing at Euro 2024, in group E
*June 17: ROMANIA – Ukraine (Munich, 16.00), Belgium – Slovakia (Frankfurt, 19.00)
*June 21: Slovakia – Ukraine (Dusseldorf, 16.00)
*June 22: Belgium – ROMANIA (Koln, 22.00)
*June 26: Slovakia – ROMANIA (Frankfurt, 19.00), Ukraine – Belgium (Stuttgart, 19.00)
The top two teams from each group, plus the best four third places from all six Euro 2024 groups, qualify for the round of 16.
Pro TV, Pro Arena and the VOYO platform broadcast the European Championship in Germany. The team of commentators will be made up of Cristian Pintea, Ion Alexandru, Mihai Dedu and Andrei Grecu.
