Article by Romeo Ene – Published on Wednesday, 01 April 2026, 00:10 / Updated on Wednesday, 01 April 2026 00:11
Slovakia – Romania 2-0. Ionel Gane (54 years old), the “second” of the national team, offered the first reaction after the failure in Bratislava. He sat on the bench of the national team instead of Mircea Lucescu (80 years old), who stayed in the country due to health problems.
Asked if he would stay after “Il Luce” left, Gane explained that he had not yet spoken to Federation officials, but would still like to be “second”.
He refrained from criticizing the players and stated that Romania looked a little better only after conceding the second goal.
Ionel Gane, conclusions after Slovakia – Romania 2-0: “Mentally I was not very good”
“We tried to raise their morale after missing the qualification, but even after the unpleasant event with Mircea Lucescu, it was felt that, mentally, I was not very well.
However, we started both halves very badly, conceding a goal in the 6th minute at a set piece, but also conceding a goal in the second. It wasn't easy, it was a better half from the Slovakian team.
After the goal conceded in the second half, I think we had better dynamics, better control and possession and we created 3-4 good chances, but unfortunately we didn't score.
It is true that Slovakia also had 2-3 very good chances to score and failed, especially in the second half. As a conclusion, it was seen that both teams came hurt after missing the qualification, but we tried to get up, to play a good game, both us and them, but unfortunately we lost.
We are sorry that we could not make Mircea Lucescu happy as a result, to bring him relief with everything that happened, we are glad that he is well.
I am not in a position to enter into an analysis like this, it is not right for me to talk about what happened during the mandate of Mircea Lucescu, only he can. And what will happen next, who will be the selector, the leadership of the Federation knows better.
Up to this moment we have not spoken, we will see in the coming days what will happen. Yes, for me it's an honor and a pride to be part of the national team staff, we'll see, I can't say more than that.
I don't want to talk or analyze any individual player because these players brought me and brought us joy and happiness with that EURO qualification.
But there are moments in every player's life when they may not be going through a very good period, and I was in this situation, so I understand them, but I can't go into more detail”, declared Ionel Gane, at the press conference.
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