Article by Cosmin Nistor, Robert Vîrdol – Published on Saturday, 06 June 2026 23:53 / Updated on Saturday, 06 June 2026 23:56
Romania achieved the first victory of Gheorghe Hagi's mandate, after 2-1 with Wales, in a friendly match played at “Steaua” Stadium. At the end of the game, Denis Drăguș spoke about the impact of the new coach, the atmosphere around the national team and the goals that the “tricolors” must set for themselves in the future.
The Trabzonspor striker is among the players who have worked with Gheorghe Hagi in the past, and after the success in Ghencea, he explained what the new coach brings to Romania's dressing room.
Denis Drăguș: “It is important to have a winning mentality”
Drăguș emphasized the result and the message constantly transmitted by Gheorghe Hagi since taking over the national team.
“The important thing is that we won and that we lost at home. As Mr. Hagi says, it is important to have a winning mentality. It's no different than what I knew. He is in a different position, but he has the same passion, the same mentality. We must follow him and walk this way.
It is a special feeling for those who worked with him and grew up with him. He has the same passion, the same desire. We know him from before.”
The attacker believes that Romania must set important goals and believe in its chances in each qualification campaign.
“We have to aspire to big things. It's a good start to the road and it's important to believe that we can be in every final tournament. If we don't believe, we have no chance.”
“I felt the enthusiasm of the fans”
Drăguș also noted the atmosphere created by the fans present in Ghencea, who supported the team throughout the match.
“I felt a nice atmosphere. I felt the enthusiasm of the fans, who were with us, and we gave them a nice evening.”
At the end, the Romanian international spoke about the period that follows the action of the national team and also commented on the appointment of Mirel Rădoi to Gaziantep, the team to which he was loaned until the end of the recently concluded season.
“It's a busy schedule, we're quite tired. I'll go back to Trabzonspor and we'll see. I want to be healthy and I'm glad I finished the match well.
I don't know if I have offers from Romania. I was focused on the national team, we finished this action well and now we start the new season.
I was surprised by the arrival of Mirel Rădoi. I wish him well, but I think he has the skills to succeed.”
