Article by Romeo Ene – Published on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, 22:25 / Updated on Tuesday, 31 March 2026 22:25
Slovakia – Romania. Gică Popescu (58 years old), the former great central defender of the national team, put the guns on the right defender Andrei Ratiu (27 years old).
A few minutes before the friendly in Bratislava, Popescu did not get over the failure in Istanbul, 0-1 with Turkey, in the semi-final of the World Cup qualifier.
Rațiu was criticized by Popescu for not showing seriousness when wearing the national team shirt.
Gică Popescu criticized Andrei Rațiu: “Man, you are a right defender”
“I have the feeling that he is doing us a favor by coming to the national team. Man, you are a right back, when you come to the national team you have to defend, then attack.
And he does not do this at all. Your basic position is defender”, declared Gică Popescu, on Antena 1.
Rațiu is considered by many football people to be the main culprit for the goal that Turkey scored against Romania.
Rațiu was easily overtaken by Yildiz in Turkey – Romania and made a mistake when Ferdi Kadioglu succeeded.
The Rayo Vallecano defender has played 36 games this season, scoring one goal and providing 3 assists. He is quoted by the specialized website Transfermarkt at 18 million euros.
The match was very balanced. If Rațiu did not make that mistake, he was afraid of being dribbled. Otherwise, apart from a shot on goal, they didn't have anything else… We know well that the Turkish team is at a higher level than Romania's.
– Mircea Lucescuimmediately after the dam with Turkey
