Former international Iosif Rotariu, aged 64, shared his thoughts during GSP Live Special following Universitatea Craiova’s 2-0 victory over Farul in the 12th round of the Superliga. Rotariu expressed disappointment in Farul’s performance and addressed the capabilities of Craiova midfielder Alexandru Cicâldău, suggesting he does not deserve a starting position in the national team.
In this season, Cicâldău has made 21 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals and providing two assists. He scored during Romania’s last match, a 2-4 defeat against Bosnia.
Rotariu: “Farul’s Weakest Performance This Season”
Rotariu remarked, “I believe it was Farul’s weakest performance in this championship. They lacked aggression and attitude, creating hardly any goal-scoring opportunities. The result is deserved; the score could have been higher. Craiova played just enough to win. I had higher expectations for Farul, especially in the second half. Tonight, Craiova was much better.”
He noted that while Farul had shown promise in previous matches, including against Petrolul, they must improve their attitude and approach to secure a spot in the play-off.
Rotariu on Cicâldău: “More Is Needed to Become a National Team Starter”
Regarding Cicâldău, Rotariu emphasized that performing for the national team requires a higher level than that seen in the Romanian league. “To be a starter for the national team, you must contribute significantly more. Cicâldău has played abroad but returned to Romania. The league’s quality is relatively low, with only Craiova currently competing in European tournaments. He possesses skills, plays consistently, and scores, but he seems to need something more to be an undisputed starter in the national team,” Rotariu stated.
He added that while Cicâldău had a chance abroad, he struggled to adapt in the Turkish league and has since returned. “The Romanian league is not a benchmark for quality. I always favor players who compete abroad, even if their performances are inconsistent or they play less,” Rotariu concluded.
Cicâldău has made 41 appearances for the Romanian national team, netting five goals and providing one assist. Currently valued at €2.4 million, he has previously played for Viitorul, Galatasaray, Konyaspor, and Ittihad Kalba.
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