Gheorghe Hagi, the head coach of Romania’s national football team, held a press conference on Thursday evening at The Westin Hotel in Warsaw ahead of the UEFA Nations League match against Poland on October 2. Accompanying him was defender Radu Drăgușin.
The match between Poland and Romania is scheduled to kick off at 21:45 local time. It will be broadcast live on GSP.ro and on Antena 1.
In his first public appearance since hinting at a possible retirement, Hagi appeared calm and reiterated his commitment to a rotation strategy he had devised during the summer friendlies, aimed at evaluating all his players despite the transition to official matches.
Hagi brought 23 players to Poland, leaving behind Andrei Burcă, Matei Ilie, Lisav Eissat, Raul Opruț, Darius Olaru, Vladimir Screciu, Vlad Dragomir, David Matei, and the injured Louis Munteanu.
Hagi on Ionuț Radu’s Condition: “He Has a Shoulder Issue, Hindrich Will Start”
When questioned about goalkeeper Ionuț Radu’s condition, Hagi expressed irritation, noting he was aware of the injury prior to the press conference. He confirmed that Otto Hindrich would be starting in goal.
“The first question should be about the match against Poland, not about a player who has played two matches. I was aware of his shoulder issue, but it is not serious. We will see who plays in goal tomorrow,” Hagi stated.
He remarked on the significance of the upcoming match, emphasizing both teams are seeking redemption after disappointing starts to their Nations League campaigns. “We need to play well to win; I believe we are prepared to deliver a complete performance,” he added.
Reflecting on Romania’s past performances, Hagi acknowledged the team’s scoring ability but noted defensive lapses, saying, “Romania has scored in every match under my coaching, but we have also conceded. I have been working on improving our defense lately.”
Hagi Affirms His Rotation Strategy: “I Feel Sorry for Opruț”
Hagi reiterated his intention to continue rotating players despite criticism for making as many as nine changes between matches. He acknowledged his responsibility for the team’s performance.
“I brought in three players for specific positions to understand our potential. If it hasn’t worked out, it is my fault entirely. I will continue this approach until these four matches are over so that I can assess all the players and assign them positions appropriately,” he said.
Hagi’s Frustration: “I Feel Like I’m Talking to a Wall”
Expressing frustration, Hagi said, “I feel like I’m talking to a wall. I have stated publicly that any criticism should be directed at me. Everyone has their own perspective, but I need to evaluate my players under pressure in official matches.”
On Lewandowski: “I Hope He Doesn’t Score”
When asked about Poland’s star player, Robert Lewandowski, Hagi humorously suggested a trade: “I wish Lewandowski would come to our team. If he plays, I hope he doesn’t score. We have three injured strikers, and Daniel Bîrligea will likely play tomorrow. However, I believe we need to perform better defensively to avoid conceding goals. The absence of our supporters has affected us significantly.”
Drăgușin Prepares for a Challenging Match Against Poland
Radu Drăgușin, reflecting on the upcoming match, expressed confidence in the team’s ability to perform better despite recent setbacks. “We understand the importance of this match and need to show a different side of ourselves on the pitch. We must play solidly to limit Poland’s opportunities, especially against a player of Lewandowski’s caliber,” he stated.
Romania’s Squad for the Poland Match
The players selected for the match include goalkeepers Ionuț Radu, Otto Hindrich, and Valentin Cojocaru, defenders Andrei Rațiu, Radu Drăgușin, and others, along with midfielders and forwards. Hagi’s goal is to finish in the top two of their group to improve their seeding for the EURO 2028 qualifiers.
