“Perhaps the best in League 1”

• Turkey – Romania will be played on Thursday, March 26, from 19:00, match broadcast by Prima TV. If we win, we play the qualification final against Slovakia/Kosovo on March 31, 2026.

• Gazeta Sporturilor has 6 experienced reporters in Istanbul who will send the most important information, reports and a series of multimedia correspondence.

Since the announcement of the official squad for the play-off, Mircea Lucescu had to call for two last-minute substitutions, both in the goalkeeping department. Initially, Mihai Popa from CFR Cluj could no longer honor the summons due to an injury, being replaced by Cătălin Căbuz, from FC Argeș.

Later, Ionuț Radu, considered the rightful holder in the goal of the Romanian national team, also suffered an injury in the last stage of La Liga, where Celta Vigo was defeated by Alaves, score 3-4. Thus, Radu will no longer be able to participate in the tie with Turkey, his place being taken by Laurentiu Popescu, the goalkeeper of Craiova University. Now, Marian Aioani, the only goalkeeper left on the list from the initial call-up, is the main favorite to be started in the match against Turkey.

Victor Angelescu believes that Marian Aioani can play a big game against Turkey: “He has a very good footwork, maybe the best in League 1”

“Aioani at one point thought of leaving. I had an offer for him that was not accepted. At first he stayed with Stolz, and then Costel (no. Gâlcă) preferred Stolz. With Siegrist instead, if I remember correctly, Siegrist defended most of the tour, after which he had a fight in the training camp with Šumudica and the Genoa version appeared.

Aioani has a very good footwork, maybe the best in Ligue 1. I think that was also learned at Farul and we rely a lot on his footwork. He has very good reflexes. And the mental part is an asset. Instead, at least in the last few games, he has had problems in clearing crosses.

That was the coach's decision, he has to support the team. We have to trust Marian if he is going to be chosen to defend. Let's hope he has a good match. I find it hard to believe that Turkey will finish with 2-3 shots on goal even if we win.

Any goalkeeper who comes in represents us and must be supported. Let's remember how Horațiu Moldovan also entered the goal of the national team, he also came from Rapid. He has had some incredible matches and had an outstanding campaign.

Maybe Aioani also has the chance to make a sensational match. I see him. He in all derbies and in all important matches is not a player who gives in to pressure. But, the situation he is in today is not similar to any situation that Marian Aioani went through“, declared Victor Angelescu, at Prima Sport.

Victor Angelescu's reaction after Mircea Lucescu did not summon Andrei Borza: “It was a surprise”

Regarding the non-call of Andrei Borza for the left defender position, Angelescu pointed out: “It was a surprise that he or Opruț was not summoned. I expected one of the two to be summoned.

But neither Borza nor Opruț, it is surprising. I think they talked to the Federation, that's my opinion, and they probably decided that Borza should go to the U21 national team, where we have two very important matches that we have to win. Whoever went between Opruț and Borza, it was clear that he was a reserve.

Kevin Ciubotaru is not a bad player, but lately he hasn't had the form he showed at the beginning. In the last two months, Opruț and Borza have looked very good. I saw some accomplishments.

I spoke with Borza in the training camp, he was OK. From my point of view, he will probably be the holder of the national team 10 years from now. I think he can catch many selections”.

Romania's lot for the dam with Turkey

• porter: Marian AIOANI (FC Rapid 1923, 0/0), Cătălin CĂBUZ (FC Argeș, 0/0), Laurentiu POPESCU (Craiova, 0/0);

• defense: Andrei RAțIU (Rayo Vallecano | Spain, 36/2), Deian SORESCU (Gaziantep FK | Turkey, 23/0), Radu DRĂGUȘIN (Tottenham | England, 27/1), Andrei BURCĂ (Yunnan Yukun | China, 44/1), Virgil GHIȚ (Hannover 96 | Germany, 8/1), Adrian RUS (Universitatea Craiova, 22/1), Andrei COUBIȘ (Cluj University, 0/0), Nicușor BANCU (Craiova University, 50/2), Kevin CIUBOTARU (Hermannstadt, 1/0);

• midfielders: Vladimir SCRECIU (Universitatea Craiova, 6/0), Vlad DRAGOMIR (Pafos | Cyprus, 5/0), Răzvan MARIN (AEK Athens | Greece, 72/12), Nicolae STANCIU (Dalian Yingbo | China, 84/15), Florin TĂNASE (FCSB, 26/5), Ianis HAGI (Alanyaspor | Turkey, 51/8), Dennis MAN (PSV | Netherlands, 43/11), Alexandru DOBRE (FC Rapid 1923, 5/0), Valentin MIHĂILĂ (Caykur Rizespor | Turkey, 33/5), Claudiu PETRILA (FC Rapid 1923, 2/0), Ștefan BAIARAM (Universitatea Craiova, 2/1);

• ATTACKERS: Daniel BÎRLIGEA (FCSB, 7/2), David MICULESCU (FCSB, 6/0), Marius COMAN (UTA Arad, 0/0).