Article by Ovidiu Ioanițoaia – published on Friday, October 10, 2025, 14:55 / Updated on Friday, October 1025:01 pm
This 2-1 with Moldova, a meeting from which I expected more, came to prove that you can learn from mistakes and at 80, the age of Mircea Lucescu.
What do I mean? That the coach of the “tricolors” is now repeated now the error from the “double” of September, when the friendly match with Canada started on the 5th and the official one with Cyprus from 9 with the same gasket! Vo remind: Moldovan – Rațiu, Ghiță, Burcă, Bancu – R. Marin, M. Marin, Stanciu – Man, Drăguș, Dobre.
To find out disappointed that the team, seriously requested after 3 days, was not prepared for a sustained rhythm. She gave in physically in the second half in Nicosia, allowing Cyprus to obtain an unexpected equalization.
Lucky that, on Thursday night, in Larnaca, the islanders managed to return from 0-2 and the Bosnians. In a scenario as if pulled to indigo, the hosts scored for 2-2 in extensions, a result that increases our chances of taking 2nd place in the group.
This time, knowing how important the official match with Austria on Sunday is, one that is mandatory not to lose and ideally to win, Lucescu has changed the sheet. As such, he used a second band, sprinkled with reserves, with aspirants against the Prut.
Although he could not count on the injuries Drăgușin, Stanciu, Drăguș and Sorescu, but not on the banks, suspended, the coach left in the stands on Rațiu and Burcă, and on the bench other possible holders. Among which, on the two Marin, Bîrligea and Mihăilă, for Man, Miculescu and Fl. Tănase to introduce during the course, the last in the 88th minute!
More willing to receive, but also forced by circumstances, Lucescu offered Eissav, Baiaram (both from the beginning), Ciubotariu and Cîrjan the opportunity to debut in the national, 4 in a single match, premiere in his current term.
My opinion is that, except for Kevin Ciubotariu, who proved courage and personality, the others did not impress. However, all must be followed, their hesitations are explainable and, especially in the case of Eissav, arrived from the Israel championship. To be sought after at a stop of only 20 years.
Olimpiu Moruțan and Ianis Hagi in Romania – Moldova, matching images // Photo: Ionuț Iordache (GSP)
It is worth highlighting Moruțan and Hagi, who brought style. An extra refinement, finesse. The first one contributed with assists to both goals, beautifully passing to Ianis for 2-1!, And Hagi, captain until the replacement of the 70th minute, passed his name on the list of scorers.
It would not be a big surprise if Moruțan and Hagi would appear in the formula that will be aligned against Austria. In which they could find a place, in competition with Bîrligea, and Louis Munteanu, a very mobile peak, capable of speculating any inaccuracy of the opponent.
A promise remains Baiaram, but still deficient in the ball game. It would not hurt to be more active. Even more selfish, like his former teammate Mihăilă.
Otherwise, I do not know to what extent Lucescu will forgive Ionuț Radu, guilty of the Moldovan goal, considered autogolous! Another coach would have changed him at the break and would have been understandable. But not Lucescu, ready at any time to help the footballers, not to punish them. And I believe that Dumbrăvanu committed the fault in the respective phase, because the Moldovan was not hit by the ball, but the arm of Celta Vigo's goalkeeper, an intervention not subjected by the Maltese referee.
But so, Ionuț Radu has to reproach that he was soft, not far enough, present. To a classroom, he is asked to be master of the small box, to dominate him. He has to make the law there, which, unfortunately, did not happen on Thursday night.
It all depends now on the denomination of the duel with Austria, a party in which, not to avoid words! Thanks to a higher individual and collective value.
But not once, however, the small barrel overturned the big cart, that's what we want to see on Sunday. Come on, Romania!
