As the 2024 UEFA European Championship approaches, Leisu Sports is presenting a series of profiles on the 24 teams that have qualified. Today’s focus is on “The Tricolors,” Romania.
Located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Romania has a rich football history, having produced stars like Hagi, Monteianu, and Mutu who shone in top leagues. Hagi, who once played for Real Madrid, continues to influence Romanian football to this day. Moreover, the current 43-year-old Monteianu serves as the national team’s sports director, overseeing player selection.
In the qualifying campaign, Romania was drawn into Group I alongside Switzerland, Israel, Belarus, Kosovo, and Andorra. Although considered a favorite to progress, they were not seen as favorites to top the group. However, under the guidance of coach Yordanescu, Romania achieved their best-ever qualifying record, defeating both minnows Andorra and securing crucial home victories over Kosovo and Switzerland, ultimately advancing with an unbeaten record of six wins and four draws. Romanian media praised Yordanescu’s team, saying it “recaptured the spirit of Hagi’s era” and that the 45-year-old coach deserves a place in one of the top leagues.
Notably, since the retirement of Mutu and Hagi, Romania has yet to produce a dominant team leader or prolific scorer. The most recent records for appearances belong to goalkeeper Lobont (2018) and right-back Razvan Rat (2016). On the scoring front, Mutu and Hagi remain atop the leaderboard with 35 goals, with only former Stuttgart striker Marica (26 goals) entering the top five since 2010, highlighting the decline in talent.
Coach and Key Players: Domestic Manager Leads, but Star Power Lacks
Yordanescu is undoubtedly one of the strongest coaches to emerge from Eastern Europe in recent years. The 45-year-old began his coaching career in 2010 and led Cluj to Romanian Super Cup victories in 2018 and 2020, followed by their first league title in the 20/21 season. Upon reaching the century mark for matches coached with the national team (now 101), he has become a标志性 figure in Romanian football.
Personality-wise, Yordanescu is known for his assertiveness. After winning the league title in 20/21, he resigned due to disagreements with Cluj’s management and openly criticized their interference in match decisions. He returned to Cluj in December 2020 but left again due to conflicts. Later, in August 2021, he took charge of Steaua Bucharest, leading them to a 6-0 victory over Dinamo Bucharest – the biggest margin win in Eternal Derby history – before falling out with owner Becali and leaving the club.
On the pitch, Romania relies on experienced forward Alibek, who competes in the Qatari league, as their main attacker. The journeyman has played for several second-tier European clubs. Additionally, Parma’s promotion duo, Mihai and Denis Man, will be key contributors in attack. In midfield, Hagi’s son Ianis Hagi shares playmaking duties with ex-Wuhan Sanzheng star Stanciu. While Ianis currently serves as a backup at Alaves, Stanciu’s dominant performances in the Romanian league earned him a move to Saudi Pro League side Damak and a place in manager Conte’s squad.
Defensively, Romania needs young talents to step up. Tottenham’s center-back Dragusin will be a pillar, while veteran central defender Bourceanu, playing in Saudi Arabia, offers strong aerial abilities and can be a threat on set pieces. Goalkeeper Mirdasan, Atletico Madrid’s second-choice, will be Romania’s last line of defense, although his lack of La Liga experience remains a question mark.
Notably, Yordanescu has also relied on domestic league youngsters during the qualifiers. Forward Florinel Coman, who scored 18 goals and provided 10 assists in the league, could be a surprise element. Midfielder Olaru and defender Man from Cluj, along with other promising players, have been given opportunities, making the starting eleven hard to predict.
European Championship Historical Performance
Since the turn of the millennium, Romania has reached the Euro finals three times. In 2000, they advanced to the quarterfinals before losing 0-2 to eventual runners-up Italy. In 2008 and 2016, they failed to win a game and exited in the group stage, demonstrating the team’s talent shortage in recent years.
Outlook for the Tournament
In Euro 2024, Romania is drawn in Group E alongside Belgium, Slovakia, and Ukraine. Their chances of progression are challenging. Adopting a compact defense and counter-attacking strategy, they aim to score on opponents’ mistakes. However, facing Ukraine and Belgium in the first two rounds before their decisive match against Slovakia might not be ideal. Nevertheless, Romania has remained unbeaten against Slovakia in four recent friendly encounters, providing a psychological edge for their potential knockout battle, assuming they can withstand the offensive pressure from Ukraine and Belgium in the opening games.
UEFA Euro 2024 Initial Squad List (28 Players)
Goalkeepers: Mirdasan (Atletico Madrid), Nita (Gaziantep FK), T?n??oaia (Steaua Bucharest), Sava (Cluj)
Defenders: Latiu (Rayo Vallecano), Mogos (Cluj), Bourceanu (Al Qadisiyah), Dragusin (Tottenham), Rus (Apollon Limassol), Nedelciu (Palermo), R?covitan (Papuk), Bancu (Universitatea Craiova)
Midfielders: Sorescu (Gaziantep FK), Stanciu (Damak), Marius Marin (Pisa), R?zvan Marin (Empoli), Sica?u (Konyaspor), Grahovac (Farul Constan?a), Olaru (Steaua Bucharest), Adrian ?tefan (Steaua Bucharest), Dennis Man (Parma), Mihalache (Parma), Hagi (Rangers), Florinel Coman (Steaua Bucharest)
Forwards: Dr?gu?in (Gaziantep FK), George Puskás (Barry), Alibek (Muaither SC), Bilig (Cluj)
Predicted Starting XI (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Mirdasan
Defenders: Bancu, Bourceanu, Dragusin, Latiu
Midfielders: Screciu, Marin, Stanciu, Hagi, Mihalache
Forward: Alibek
Group Stage Schedule and Venues