Article by Adrian Duţă – published on Friday, September 5, 2025 23:12 / Updated Friday, September 5, 2025 23:15
Romania was defeated by Canada, score 0-3. Gică Popescu analyzed the national friend and was surprised by the party's approach. He believes that the guests handed them a football lesson “tricolors”.
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For Romania, the match with Cyprus follows, from the preliminaries CM 2026, on September 9 from 9:45 pm
The former captain of the national team put the failure of the lack of form of the players, without guilty of Mircea Lucescu, his former coach. He also looked worried before the match with Cyprus.
Gică Popescu: “Canada handed us a lesson”
“Honestly, I have not seen the national team dominated by this manner for a long time. A deserved victory of Canada, who surprised by the way the match began. Very aggressive, eager to always attack. It was 2-0 in the 20th minute. I was unpleasant as I started and approached the match.
Being friendly 4 days before the official match, I was hoping to see an approach for the match with Cyprus, to go to attack. I am negatively surprised by the approach of our boys. At 2-0 for Canada we were waiting to play on the counterattack! It's a friendly match. If in the friendly we do not try, why do we do these friendly?!
The result does not matter, it does not matter the record. I do not know what was the approach of Nea Mircea, if he told them to play the counterattack and wait at 70 meters. I had two fluttering through Stanciu, at two kicks, in the first half. The lesson taught by Canada is hard to forget. I am surprised by this attitude that becomes permanent. Regardless of the opponent, we play on the counterattack.
There is a match with Cyprus, I thought we would go over Canada, that is how I would like to play with Cyprus. I was preparing the match for over 4 days. I was expecting another approach. I hope it is only due to the lack of shape of our players, they have no standing matches. I like to think that is the reason for how I played.
Mircea Lucescu is the coach with the biggest experience in our football. He trained heavy players, I am convinced that he has a language for each one. I'm sure he has individual discussions with everyone. The form and training cannot be prepared in just 4 days, Mircea Lucescu takes over the players from clubs with their training from clubs ”, said Popescu, at Antena 1.
