Article by Maria Olteanu – Published Thursday, March 26, 2026 10:18 p.m. / Updated Thursday, March 26, 2026 11:47 p.m.
Immediately after the failure suffered by the Romanian national team, score 0-1, with Turkeythe former international great Gică Popescu (58 years old) drew the conclusions live on the GSP Live Special show, moderated by Mihai Mironică.
He analyzed the game of the “tricolors” in Istanbul, said what surprised him, and then refused to talk about the takeover of the national team by his brother-in-law, Gică Hagi, who recently sold his shares in Farul. What's more, he answered enigmatically that, perhaps, the current selector will extend the agreement.
VIDEO. The reaction of Gică Popescu, after the lost match with Turkey
“Honestly, I expected to see a different Turkish team, that they have players from Real, Juventus, Inter. Turkey pleasantly surprised me, but they played timidly, they didn't take risks, they passed the ball in front of the box without having a decisive attitude.
They were afraid either of us or of the importance of the match, although they have players who are used to such matches. We did too little to have claims to go to the World Cup. To reach a final tournament you have to beat the good ones too, not just Kosovo, Cyprus or other third world teams.
I didn't see the goal very clearly during the match, without replays it's hard to analyze, but it seemed to me that Rațiu didn't collect enough. Maybe Man should have come with his man too. Man made a sacrifice game, played more right back than winger, blocked well there.
Unfortunately, it was one of the few breaches created in our defense. I played a fair game, but if you give spaces to the Turkish players, they wait a moment and punish you.
Arda Güler's quality has come to the surface. We positioned ourselves wrongly and that's how the history of this game was written. We don't have to hide, it's about value. Our national team, in the past, was a team of considerable value. We were players playing for major clubs in Europe, winning titles, just like the current Turkish players. The difference is visible in approach and performance. For us, the results are proof”, analyzed Gică Popescu.
Gică Popescu: “Maybe Mircea Lucescu will extend his contract”
“I don't allow myself to talk about another selector while the national team is led by Mircea Lucescu. After that we will be able to make comments, but out of respect I don't allow it now. I don't think we need to discuss what will happen from Tuesday onwards.
What upsets me a lot is that nea Mircea didn't manage to have an exit from football with a qualification for the World Cup, which she never did. For what he represents, he would have deserved this qualification. Maybe he will extend his contract, but I cannot afford to talk about a further stage while he is on the bench of the national team.
I had high expectations from the whole team, but primarily in terms of approach. Turkey gave me the impression of being fearful. I expected them to press but they gave us possession. We started the game well and that was my feeling: it was not an aggressive Turkey”, said Gică Popescu, after the match, on GSP Live Special.
The best images from the Turkey – Romania 1-0 draw
