Ionuț Radu's injury, suffered in the last match of Celta Vigo, put the staff of the Romanian national team on alert before the tie with Turkey. The goalkeeper complained of calf problems, and the recovery would take about a week, according to the first estimates. Lucescu announced a short time ago the name of the emergency goalkeeper: Laurentiu Popescu, from Craiova University!
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Turkey – Romania will be played on March 26, from 19:00, match broadcast by Prima TV. If we win, we play the World Cup qualification final against Slovakia/Kosovo on March 31, 2026.
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UPDATE 23:20 / Laurentiu Popescu, called up to the national team instead of Radu
After Ionuț Radu's injury in Sunday's match, at Celta Vigo, the selector Mircea Lucescu decided to urgently call him to the squad Laurentiu Popescuthe goalkeeper of Craiova University. He initially had three names on the list, but in the end he decided to call on Popescu's help.
“Considering the medical situation of Ionuț Radu after the match Celta Vigo – Alavés, the selector Mircea Lucescu decided to call the goalkeeper Laurentiu Popescu from Craiova University to the national team.
He will join the squad for the qualification play-off matches at the World Championship”, the FRF reported on Sunday evening, on the Facebook page.
Laurentiu Popescu, called up to the national team instead of Radu
Thus, Laurențiu Popescu is Craiova's fifth player for this action, after Nicușor Bancu, Vladimir Screciu, Ștefan Baiaram and Adrian Rus had initially received summonses.
Laurentiu Popescu received the news of the vacation call. He had a few days off from the club and was with his wife in Milan, from where the two posted several images in recent days.
The original news
From Vigo, the national team staff received a preliminary verdict: Radu suffered a muscle strain that will heal in 6-7 days at the earliest. In proportion to 99.99%, it is out with Turkey, informed sources.
Mircea Lucescu was waiting for the verdict in the case of Ionuț Radu, but he had already outlined the options for replacements
Ștefan Târnovanu and Horațiu Moldovan, on the selector's short list // PHOTO: Imago Images
According to GSP.ro information, the selector Lucescu, while waiting for final news with Radu, had the list of variants outlined.
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Horațiu Moldovan, reserve from Spain, at Real Oviedo – He is in Romania and has experience in the national team, but he has not played for many months, more precisely since October 2025, in the King's Cup. In addition, he is not on the preliminary list, which would complicate a possible quick call.
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Ștefan Târnovanu, the big surprise – The goalkeeper from FCSB became a reserve after Gigi Becali decided that the young Matei Popa will defend the champion's goal to fulfill the U21 rule. However, Târnovanu has the advantage that he is familiar with the national team and, with 4 active selections, he could be the quick solution chosen by Mircea Lucescu.
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Laurentiu Popescuthe goalkeeper of the University of Craiova – A constant variant in the Super League, in the team that has been in first place for the longest time in the current season, but without experience in the national team.
STEFAN Târnovanu, favorite at the moment?
In the current context, Ștefan Târnovanu seems the best option. Although not a regular at the club, the goalkeeper has recent European experience and knows the requirements of the national team.
It would not be the first time that Mircea Lucescu relies on continuity and quick adaptation, at the expense of current form. However, the final decision will come after the doctors' verdict in the case of Radu, who remains, for now, the first option for the goal of the “tricolors”.
