Article by Maria Olteanu – published on Saturday, June 07, 2025 23:55 / Updated Sunday, June 8, 2025 00:10
Austria – Romania 2-1. Immediately after the Vienna match, ended with the success of the hosts, score 2-1, the former Romanian international Gică Popescu (57 years old) analyzed the game of “tricolors”, considering that it bears much of the blame for Saturday night's failure.
Even if he knows that Rațiu is an extremely valuable player, he criticized the Right defender, which he called “undisciplined”, considering that he has big positioning problems, that he leaves the flank discovered and that he makes some mistakes that, at this level, are not allowed.
Gică Popescu, reproaches on Andrei Rațiu, after Austria – Romania
“(No (it was a big difference on the field) I think we made one of the worst matches of the last period. A first half in which we did not exist. We were waiting defensively, 4-1-4-1, Chiricheș in front of the defenders. We resisted until the 41st minute, the problems started to appear from the 33rd minute, they had more opportunities.
I hoped that in the 2nd half we will pose problems, but we used the same defensive settlement. If we look very well, 90% of Austria's situations were created on our right side.
I really like Rațiu when playing in the other half of the field, but 90% of Austria's occasions came on Rațiu's side. Either it is asked, or is undisciplined. I doubt that this is asked to Rațiu, he is a defender, he has to do his duty as a defender. Today was far right, all our problems came to the right side because of Rațiu's positioning problems
He is a player who evolves very well on the club team, but when he comes to the national team fails.
Let's look at all the occasions of Austria on the right side – it does not stand in the four line that it should maintain. I saw Chiricheș coming instead of Rațiu. Rațiu must understand that he is, first of all, a defender, and only then, if he has the opportunity, he can get in the attack.
He has potential, but that's why I understand why he doesn't take a big team: he's undisciplined. He has speed, very good technique … It's a pity for him. It has an extraordinary quality, plays in La Liga, but has these positioning problems, ”said Gică Popescu immediately after the match, at Antena 1.
Photo gallery. What happened immediately after the final whistle in Austria – Romania: Cadre with Lucescu, Stanciu and Burleanu
The ranking in group H
