Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published Saturday, March 28, 2026 9:41 p.m. / Updated Saturday, March 28, 2026 9:56 p.m.
Aurel Țicleanu (67 years old), former international and Craiova legend, commented on Mircea Lucescu's tenure on the national team bench. Romania was defeated in the semi-final of the World Championship qualifier in Turkey, score 0-1.
Even though Romania lost the semi-final of the World Championship qualifier against Turkey, score 0-1, the team coached by Mircea Lucescu must play a friendly match in the company of Slovakia, which will be played on Tuesday, March 31, from 21:45, in Bratislava.
Aurel Țicleanu, about Mircea Lucescu's mandate: “You can't go over your opponents”
The last time he was a technician in 2019, with Romania's U17 team, Țicleanu spoke about the difficulties encountered by Lucescu in the national team.
“It was a utopia from the beginning. You can't take a team that is reactive and suddenly come and make a proactive team, to build your game. The players are from AEK Athens, Paphos and where else. You can't go over playing opponents on good teams. Your strategy should be to score a goal and take none“, said Țicleanu in the show “Fotbal Show” from Prima Sport.
When he took over the first national team, Mircea Lucescu said that he would change the style of play, to a more offensive one.
Mircea Lucescu, comeback for the World Cup
Mircea Lucescu returned to the bench of the national team in August 2024, with the goal of taking Romania to the World Championship for the first time since 1998. Although the dream was not fulfilled, under his leadership the team achieved 11 wins, one draw and 5 defeats in all matches.
Unfortunately, we lost. It was a balanced match. They dominated possession more, and we defended very well, very precisely. I waited for the moment to weaken their defensive line, but it came late. I also had bad luck at that bar.
The mistake that led to the goal could have been avoided, knowing how we prepared this period. Things like this happen: a split second of inattention and you get a goal. I'm sorry. Turkey has a good team, they ran a lot. When I think that in our championship the players run 8-9 kilometers, it is clear that the results are in favor of those who make more effort.
– Mircea Lucescu, after Turkey – Romania 1-0
