“You can't experiment now”

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

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Ioan Andone built Romania's starting line-up

Ioan Andone was present on the Digi Sport Special set and made the starting team for the Thursday night duel, explaining his choices.

“I would play in 4-2-3-1. I would put Radu and Rațiu without a doubt. Likewise with Bancu on the left, without a doubt. Drăgușin, of course. He is getting used to playing after this period of one year in the state. Next to him I put Burcă, even though I also like Ghiță. I go for Burcă because he played a lot with Drăgușin together, you can't experiment now.

I would play with Răzvan Marin in front of the defense, that is, I would restrict him, with clear tasks, to play from two touches, not to try something there. Any ball over him, he has to be there next to Drăgușin. He's more of an '8' than a '6', but at that level he's already been abroad for years.

I would let Hagi play, let him go. If I play 4-3-3, I would put him on the right, with two defenders. You adapt. I would rely on the fact that they play in the Turkish league and have matches every three days.

I would also put Dragomir. And he plays non-stop, he is well prepared, he has game rhythm and experience in European cups.

I would play 4-2-3-1, 4-5-1, because you have to crowd. At the closing, Marin and Dragomir, to the right of Hagi, and Man behind Bîrligea. I wouldn't play a three-man defense. There would be too many changes. Along the way, I would introduce another Stanciu, at least 30 minutes. He's got experience, he's a last-pass player, even long-range shots,” Andone explained.

• How the starting team would look in Ioan Andone's vision: Radu – Rațiu, Drăgușin, Burcă, Bancu – Dragomir, R. Marin – Hagi, Man, Mihăilă – Bîrligea

You don't need a miracle, honestly. Now you have to start with the history. Usually, in the past, in matches with the Turkish national team we won without problems. We need to get back to the present and what is happening now. Guler doesn't win a match.
I want to see a Romanian national team fighting. And if you lose, say you did everything that depended on us. If we give everything we can, we have a good chance. I keep saying we give 2 or 3. I'll give them 55% to win. I really think we have a 45% chance. Too much has happened to us so far.

– Ioan Andone