Article by Mihai Mironică – Published on Sunday, 07 June 2026, 15:36 / Updated on Sunday, 07 June 2026 15:36
Gică Hagi had a better team at his disposal in the match with Wales than in the one with Georgia, and it showed. Romania played much more convincingly, more spectacularly, more with passion, more in step with the times.
Romania showed us that we can hope when we enter a Nations League group without dragons, but with a high level with opponents like Sweden, Bosnia Herzegovina and Poland.
First of all, Romania started with a better midfield compared to the previous match, with Dragomir, Băluță, Stanciu and Olaru. It was quite clear that Romania moved better without two of the national senators of recent years, Ianis Hagi and Răzvan Marin.
A lot can change until September, when the official starts, but with the dates now, would Gică Hagi have the strength of character, the objectivity, the lucidity to keep her son out of the first 11? I don't think so.
Gică Hagi has a blind love for Ianis, who over the years has produced unprecedented gestures from a footballer's father.
Coman, in Romania – Wales// photo: Cristi Preda (GSP)
Finally, good at the national team
Victory with Wales provided a late reprieve. Two footballers who impressed over the years at FCSB, Coman and Olaru, never managed to translate to the national team the form with which they had become even the best in the championship. With Wales, they finally showed that they really are two international players.
It is remarkable how they collaborated on the first goal, like in the good old days at FCSB. But that phase was a masterpiece in its entirety with Rus' diagonal, Borza's flawless follow-up, Olaru's open-eyed cross and Coman's cold-blooded killer finish.
Craiova also proved last night that it is the strongest club team in Romania. Her players gave satisfaction except Baiaram.
In fact, one of Craiova's players seemed to me to be the best of the match. With a British goal against a British team, another dangerous header and a defensive tackle worth a goal, the Russian was the man of the evening.
Another match that shows us the managerial error of those from FCSB to let the Russian go to Craiova.
How can David Matei be a €70,000 player?
Speaking of managerial errors: how can CSA Steaua sell David Matei, a revelation in this match of the national team with an assist and a shot on the crossbar, for 70,000 euros in Craiova? The university paying a million euros to Farul for a player in Matei's shadow, Băsceanu.
This absurdity shows us again the discrepancy between the way in which public money is administered in Romania compared to private money. This transfer of Matei has a flavor of the Transfer File, it should be investigated by the prosecutors.
Both parties, with Georgia and Wales, have shown us that the first top option at the moment is Louis Munteanu. With the Welsh, Munteanu produced another dream finish, canceled out by the absurd error of the assistant referee.
Gică Hagi has in his Pharaoh of old, from Viitorul, a breed finisher. Hagi, who seems to have revived a national team abandoned by spirit and confidence.
A selector at the beginning of the road in which he has to transform the fans, the players from “doubters” into “believers”, as Jurgen Klopp said when he came to Liverpool.
Hagi entered the road on which Romanians passionate about football should find that belief that their national team can be a force again.
