Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 6:25 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, November 19, 2025, 6:29 p.m.
Tomorrow, the Romanian national team will find out its opponent in the semi-final of the play-off for the qualification for the 2026 World Championship. Having reached the fourth prize pool, where they won the group C of League C of the Nations League, Mircea Lucescu's team can face the representative of Italy away.
The eventuality of a first Italy-Romania play-off match at the end of March 2026 is seen by the peninsular press as a favorable option. In the presentation of the 15 teams that the Squadra Azzurra could cross paths with in the two duels towards the final tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada, La Gazzetta dello Sport focuses on Mircea Lucescu and Dennis Man.
“Romania qualified for the World Cup play-off via the Nations League route. Lucescu's team will start the play-offs in the 4th Urn and, along with Northern Ireland, is one of Italy's most likely opponents in the semi-finals”noted the pink daily.
The analysis of the Italians reveals that “Man and his teammates finished in 3rd place in Group H, behind Austria and Bosnia. Romania's record was four wins, one draw and three defeats. The “Tricolori” did not qualify for the final tournament since 1998″.
Dennis Man in Romania – San Marino 7-1 / Photo: Cristi Preda (GSP.ro)
“Dennis Man was never a goalscorer, not even for the national team! But he can always create danger on the wing”
Gazzetta dello Sport believes that our asset is the selector: “Lucescu's experience can always make the difference, but this Romanian team is anything but spectacular.
The 80-year-old coach returned to the technical bench in 2024, his first experience with the national team dating back to 1981. In a career spanning nearly 50 years, Il Luce has won it all: UEFA Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk in 2009, 8 championship titles, 7 Cups and Super Cups of Ukraine. He was also the double champion of Turkey with Galatasaray (2001-2002) and Beşiktaş (2002-2003).
The pink newspaper presents Dennis Man as the team's starter: “The former Parma striker transferred to PSV Eindhoven in the summer. The 1998-born right winger has never been a goalscorer. He has 42 selections in the Romanian national team and scored ten goals. But he can always create danger on the wing.”
