Article by Daniel Grigore – Published Saturday, 06 June 2026 23:25 / Updated Saturday, 06 June 2026 23:29
Nicolae Stanciu (33 years old) was the captain of the Romanian national team today, in friendly win with Walesscore 2-1. The midfielder from Dalian Yingbo played 70 minutes, and at the end he shared his thoughts after this first action under the command of Gică Hagi.
The “tricolors” drew in Georgia, 1-1, and defeated Wales in a friendly held in Ghencea, at the Steaua Stadium.
Nicolae Stanciu contributed to this second result, with 70 minutes played as captain. At the end, he said on Prima TV that “we are happy with this success, even if it is a friendly match. I also told you at the conference that it would be important for confidence, morale, and for Mister, being the first match at home”.
Nicolae Stanciu, after Romania – Wales: “Certainly in September we will look much better”
“We are convinced that the fans came for him, the stadium was full. We are glad that they left happy.
It's important that we stay healthy, that the guys who finished their seasons rest, and in September, the stakes matches will begin. Then we must and will certainly look much better than we did before.
We must try to play what Mister asks of us. I don't think the British style, but it's good to have alternatives, to be dangerous even from fixed phases. We have guys with waists, tall centre-backs. It's good when you have more ways to score, but overall what matters is that we won and that it's a good atmosphere.
All the new guys who come to the batch have everything, and new breath and a lot of talent. There wasn't a single rookie who made it to the national team and didn't feel good. The group welcomes them very well, we integrate them all, we help them with everything they need and we are happy, because when they come in they help us”, added Stanciu.
The captain of the national team, about Gică Hagi: “I also won for him today”
Finally, the captain of the first national team was questioned about the style of the selector Gică Hagi.
“I think you know him maybe better than I do, I had a few days to work with him. I'm sure he lives intensely on the bench, you know what the national team means to him.
We are happy that today we also won for him, being his first match at home. We want to continue like this. We promise to leave it all on the field,” he replied.
