Article by Ionuţ Iordache, Maria Olteanu – published on Sunday, June 08, 2025, 00:12 / Updated Sunday, June 08, 2025 01:48
Austria – Romania 2-1. Mircea Lucescu (79 years old), the coach of the Romanian national team, drew the conclusions immediately after the final whistle of the confrontation in Vienna, a match at the end of which the “tricolors” were abducted, score 1-2, and the calculations of the quality at the 2026 World Cup are complicated.
Immediately after the match, the Romanian coach did not look very upset for this result, being aware of the opponent's value. He did not quarrel with the players, whom he appreciated for the way they organized in the first part, blamed the misfortune and reproached him for not having a longer period of training, leaving some of the “tricolors” to come to the lot later and have more days off.
Mircea Lucescu, after failure with Austria:
The national of Romania kept Austria's chest for almost 20-25 minutes, after which the hosts took over the game. Horațiu Moldovan did wonders between the goals, but could not avoid the goal just before entering the booths. Gregoritsch scored in the 42nd minute and not even in the second part “tricolors” were able to return to the match. After an hour of play, Sabitzer did 2-0, and the national team scored through Tănase the honor goal in the last minute of the match.
“They did not go a lot. What can I say? I met a superior team, with players who come from an extremely powerful championship. They put in the field, availability to effort, they won most of the individual duels, they had aggressive interventions.
We compensated with a good organization. Too bad I received a goal in the 43rd minute. We had some counterattacks from which we could score, but we could not materialize them. I decreased the pace in the second half, they took over the initiative and were more dangerous. Are at a very high level. I am satisfied with the efforts of the boys – they could, they gave.
They listened to what I said, they respected the tactical indications, but at one point the difference of physical capacity intervened. You saw the Austrians-very fast. We kept the ball, but we were slow, and they took advantage. I also had bad luck: to take an empty, then an autogole … I was not enough reactive. Any shot could be diverted and turn into empty.
Things are not simple. Bosnia won after Dzeko entered. All teams have players who are constantly evolving in strong championships. We went through a very difficult time-many injured players, return without complete training, some played very little at the club and this was seen.
Maybe I was wrong. I didn't have to give them those free days to half of the players. I had to call them earlier, even if the training itself was good. They are still playing, there are chances. My problem is to build a better team from what I have available.
Austria is a first level team. We tend to get there. They have the first chance, they have extremely competitive players. I want my players to get to evolve into strong championships, and the first to benefit will be national, “said Mircea Lucescu, after the match, at Flash-Interviu, at Antena 1.
Photo gallery. What happened immediately after the final whistle in Austria – Romania: Cadre with Lucescu, Stanciu and Burleanu
For Romania now follows the match in the 4th preliminary stage, on Tuesday evening, on June 10, on the National Arena, in the company of Cyprus. The duel will be broadcast in LiveText format on GSP.ro and on TV on Prima TV.
The ranking in group H
