Article by Robert Vîrdol – Published on Wednesday, 04 February 2026 22:50 / Updated on Wednesday, 04 February 2026 22:50
Dumitru Marcu (75 years old), the former striker from University of Craiovaon the contract of Ladislau Boloni (72 years old) in the controversy born from the statements of the former selector to Ilie Balaci, the great footballer from Bănie.
Ladislau Boloni made several blunt statements to Ilie Balaci, and the Oltenians came out to attack one by one. The former striker from Bănie, Dumitru Marcu, commented on the statements made by the coach to the “Blonde Miracle”.
Also, the former Romanian international told what dialogue he had with Grigore Arezanov, the man who seriously injured Balaci.
Dumitru Marcu: “What Boloni says about Balaci is not true”
Dumitru Marcu, on Ion Oblemenco // Photo: Imago
“He also made his debut in the national team early, he was almost 18 years old. He had fantastic qualities, it is not true what Boloni says, that Ilie would have only played football for two or three years. He has been playing since Craiova's first title, I played six years in Craiova, Boloni is talking for nothing. Balaci had bad luck with his leg, if it was today, he would easily get out of trouble.
I also spoke with Grigore Arezanov, some time after the injury, and I asked him what was in his head, but, like any footballer, he said that it was not intentional. If you ask me, he should have been kicked out of football, given how good Balaci was.
For example, Dobrin knew how to avoid, Balaci was not so cunning, so to speak. Anyway, that wasn't a tackle. Balaci was a footballer, always looking to dribble the opponents”, said Dumitru Marcu for Gazeta Sporturilor.
What Boloni said about Ilie Balaci
The former Romanian coach had said that Ilie Balaci and Nicolae Dobrin played football at a high level for only two years.
“Ilie Balaci played a little football at a high level, 2-3 years and disappeared. But also in this matter with Ilie's injury… Ilie Balaci, God forgive me, was not a serious boy!
Gicu Dobrin… I don't put him in between, maybe I already have some opponents here, because Gicu Dobrin was not a serious player, you couldn't count on him. Ah, that he knew how to take the ball, carry it, do it, that he won the championship, goal against Dinamo.
OK, but he played football for 3 years! High level football. But why?” said Boloni.
