Romania manager Anghel Iordanescu faces an up-front selection dilemma, with George Puscas, Denis Dragus and Denis Alibec competing to start. Veteran goalkeeper Florin Nita may start between the posts while captain Nicolae Stanciu will likely play an influential role midfield.
Ukraine are looking to build on their recent 2-1 play-off win against Iceland that earned them passage into Germany since 2006. Serhiy Rebrov takes charge of his maiden major tournament as head coach of Ukraine.
In this article, we will discuss the main points of Romania National Football Team vs Ukraine National Football Team Lineups.
Romania XI
Romania may not boast many marquee players – Tottenham centre-back Radu Dragusin being one of them – but Edward Iordanescu’s side are organised and can cause some unexpected results in Germany. Iordanescu often fields Marius and Razvan Marin in central midfield while Parma duo Dennis Man and Valentin Mihaila line up on either flank for Germany’s encounters.
At the front is where all the action lies; captain Nicolae Stanciu is only two goals shy of Andriy Shevchenko for all-time national record goalscoring with 31 in 48 matches since 2000 – his pace and direct running is an ever-present threat against defenses while his ability to shoot from distance makes an incredible statement about him and his ability.
After an uneventful first half, Ukraine remains in control. Their wingers have been especially lively – Mykhailo Mudryk of Chelsea and Georgiy Sudakov from Shakhtar Donetsk youth team both played key roles in five of Ukraine’s eight goals so far at Euro 2024; yet both can make mistakes or appear careless with possession at times.
Mudryk saw his shot go just wide of the post before receiving a yellow card for late tackle on Nita, setting up an exciting end to the first period and an intense start to the second one with both sides looking to score goals.
Ukraine’s defensive frailties become clear as the match progresses, as midfield passes stray from their intended destinations and full-backs fail to jump high enough for attacking crosses. When Ukraine finally get their first shot on target – by Roma playmaker Dovbyk with an impressive goal that echoes back echoes back home, earning him an ovation from fans clad with yellow. Shaparenko and Stepanenko make way for Yaniv Yaremchuk and Volodymyr Brazhko.
Ukraine XI
Ukraine still qualified for Euro 2016 thanks to an impressive goal difference, thanks primarily to their dominating home record at Epet Arena where they won all four matches they hosted during Euro 2016.
Ukraine boast a formidable squad comprised of players from many European clubs. While they don’t boast one superstar player like Hector Kyprianou or Heorhiy Sudakov, their teams boast plenty of potential.
Ukraine are expected to enjoy an exciting campaign in the Nations League. They currently sit third in their group with three points after two matches and face Belgium on their final qualifying day, but can secure a draw against Slovakia on that same day in order to advance to stage two qualification.
Romania have made an impressive Nations League start, winning two and drawing one from their initial three matches. Their chances of making the last 16 with two victories from four remaining games look promising but must improve defensively to do so.
Ukraine qualified for the 1998 World Cup by finishing first in their group containing Portugal and Serbia. Unfortunately, they lost in the play-off round against Croatia; nonetheless their strong qualifying campaign provided valuable experience to players like Heorhiy Shevchenko and Oleksandr Shovkovsky.
At the UEFA Euro 2000 qualifiers, Ukraine was placed in an extremely difficult group alongside France and Russia. After suffering defeat at France and drawing closely at home with Russia, they fell behind Slovenia for second place playoff spot and Oleg Bazylevych was fired by the Federation, with Yozhef Sabo being appointed interim head coach until they signed a contract with Valery Lobanovsky.
Victor Pitanin, Ukraine’s new head coach, has named a 26-man squad for September matches in the UEFA Nations League. Dynamo Kyiv winger Vladyslav Kabayev was promoted to the main roster. Goalkeepers Heorhiy Bushchan, Anatoliy Trubin and Andriy Lunin will join Mykola Matvienko, Yukhym Konoplya and Denys Popov as members of this squad.
Romania Starting XI
Romania’s ad-hoc tactical plan paid dividends at Munich Football Arena on Monday as they returned to European Championship football dazzlingly. Edward Iordanescu’s side struggled to keep possession, yet utilized their wide players magnificently to encircle Ukraine’s defence encircle it brilliantly and create space. Romania ultimately scored through their captain Nicolae Stanciu, who wrapped his foot around a loose ball before curling an outswinging first time outswinger into the top corner from 22 yards!
Tricolorii enjoyed a memorable Euros victory on Thursday, their biggest in tournament history and best since defeating England 3-2 at Euro 2008 tournament eight years earlier. Iordanescu will surely take some heart from such an encouraging victory ahead of their Group E opener against Hungary next Tuesday.
Iordanescu has limited the changes he’s made with only one rotation required by Nicusor Bancu’s one-game suspension and his replacement by Vasile Mogos. Romania will build their team around playing from the back with centre-backs positioned aggressively and wingers looking for third-man runs to stretch defences.
Wide men should support central midfielders by contributing defensive work and pushing high up the pitch, creating space for an roaming no 9 to advance forward and surprise teams.
As far as goal threats go, Iordanescu should have plenty of options with Denis Alibec and George Puscas competing to take Horatiu Moldovan’s place up front while veteran stopper Florin Nita must keep his side within striking distance of victory.
Ukraine have everything to gain and nothing to lose from their opening game of Euro 2024. Sergei Rebrov has only just taken charge as manager but already boasts an emerging generation with their attacking approach being an asset against any opponent at this level. One key concern will be their lack of major tournament experience – being 10th youngest overall with regard to average starting age; but players like Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko and Girona’s Mykhailo Mudryk will certainly help them adjust and adjust better in such environments.
Ukraine Starting XI vs Romania
Ukrainians will look to build on their impressive opening-half goals against England, making them major favourites to prevail against Romania in Group E’s opener. Serhiy Rebrov must ensure his players don’t succumb to defensive frailties despite including Chelsea star Andriy Yarmolenko in their lineup.
Ukraine have lost eight out of their past 11 European Championship games, but reached the quarter-finals three years ago and should make a strong bid to finish in the top two in their pool this time around. Expect them to field Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and Bournemouth center-back Ilia Zabarnyi among their starting eleven with Mykola Matvienko providing solid defensive support, Taras Stepanenko (Everton), Heorhiy Sudakov (Shakhtar Donetsk) and Mykola Shaparenko key members that should provide ample attacking options on attack for Ukraine to challenge for top two position.
Romania have never progressed past the group stage at a Euros tournament in six previous appearances, and Edward Iordanescu will look to improve that record as the first Romanian coach since his father Anghel’s time at charge in 2016. Florin Nita, Horatiu Moldovan, Stefan Tarnovanu, Andrei Rusca, Bogdan Racovitan, Ionut Nedelcearu and Radu Dragusin are expected to make up Romania’s defensive unit while Nicusor Bancu and Marius Marin can offer experience midfield players while Razvan Mihaila presents yet another threat.
Iordanescu will have to find ways to unleash his team’s attacking talent effectively, especially since Romania have struggled to score in this tournament. That may lead to frequent substitutions as the match goes along – though Romania likely have greater firepower with Ianis Hagi, Nicolae Stanciu and Cristian Marianescu potentially providing spark. To turn things around for their side and win this matchup.
