Iosif Rotariu believes that two players have won their places in the first “11” of the national team
Article by Daniel Grigore – Published Wednesday, October 15, 2025 22:42 / Updated Wednesday, October 15, 2025 22:42
Iosif Rotariu, 63 years old, former international with 25 matches for the national team, believes that at least two players won their places in Romania's first “11”, as a result of this month's matches: Ianis Hagi and Vlad Dragomir.
Against Austriain the all-or-nothing match from Bucharest, Mircea Lucescu went on a midfield formed by Marius Marin, Vlad Dragomir and captain Ianis Hagi. The latter came after only 5 appearances in the last 6 months, and Dragomir was making his first start in an official national team match.
There are two bets won, in the opinion of former international Iosif Rotariu. He believes that both Ianis Hagi and Vlad Dragomir will continue as starters and sees them on the field from the first minute against Bosnia, in the decisive match for the 2nd place in the group.
Iosif Rotariu: “I think that Ianis Hagi and Vlad Dragomir won their starting positions”
“I think Ianis Hagi has earned his starting place. He is a decisive player. It is very difficult to find a player, in the national team or club teams, with his achievements, a player who can decide the match at any moment.
And [Vlad] Dragomir, playing in the Champions League, being the champion [cu Pafos]playing match after match and so well against Austria, I think he convinced Mr. Lucescu. I think these two players plus Marius Marin will go in with Bosnia. Of course, if they don't get injured. I think so, they just played a very good, consistent game”, said Rotariu on the “DigiSport Special” show.
The former midfielder from Steaua, Galatasaray and Poli Timisoara believes that “it will be very difficult in Bosnia, very difficult. But after seeing the victory with Austria, seeing the form of the players, I think we have a chance. Bosnia is not unbeatable either, but it will be difficult.”
“At the end of the day, the players are mature, they have experience, many of them are at their football maturity. Qualification would be a new beginning, we would have a future. I hope with all my heart that we qualify,” he added.
Dragomir surprised me. I've known him since I was 15 and then he played more advanced than now, he was like a game coordinator. But in the meantime he has grown a lot physically and can cover that position in the middle.
– Joseph Rotary
