Our assessment of the Group A contenders continues now as we check up on Romania. Anghel Iordanescu’s men get the tournament underway with a showdown against hosts France on Friday June 10 at 8pm, before then taking on Switzerland five days later at 5pm and outsiders Albania in the final group fixture on June 19, at 8pm.
Road to Qualification
Romania clinched their place in qualifying as Group F runners-up behind Northern Ireland. Winning five of their ten matches, they found the net on just 11 occasions, with four of those strikes registered over clashes against the Faroe Islands. Whilst Iordanescu’s side failed to impress too much in the final third, then, their defence was another matter altogether – they conceded just twice and racked up eight clean sheets.
That rearguard record is indicative of the tactics that tend to see them set up in a defensive-minded 4-2-3-1 formation, though Iordanescu also has the option of 4-4-2 when going on the offensive.
The Tricolorii have played four friendlies over the last 12 months. After earning a 2-2 draw in Italy back in November, they then defeated Lithuania 1-0 and played out a goalless draw against Spain before drawing 1-1 with DR Congo last night.
Most Appearances Vlad Chiriches, Dragas Grigore (10), Razvan Rat, Ciprian Tatarasanu, Alexandru Maxim, Gabriel Torje (9), Mihai Pintilii, Ovidiu Hoban (8), Bogdan Stancu, Alexandru Chipciu, Lucien Sanmartean (7), Paul Papp, Claudiu Keseru (6)
Most goals Bogdan Stancu, Constantin Budescu, Paul Papp (2), Claudiu Keseru, Ovidiu Hoban, Alexandru Maxim, Raul Rusescu, Ciprian Marica, (1)
Most assists Lucien Sanmartean (3), Alexandru Maxim, Razvan Rat (1), Adrian Popa, Bogdan Stancu (1)
The Key Targets
Amongst the nailed-on options, left-back Razvan Rat looks the standout route into Romania’s resolute defence. Priced at 5.5 in Uefa, the captain bagged an assist in qualifying, whilst his delivery from the flank will pose plenty of problems. Rat’s all-round game means he should also pick up points for successful tackles and interceptions, underlining his potential for defensive actions in the Draft Kings game.
Elsewhere at the back, former Spurs centre-half Vlad Chiriches started every qualifier and equalled Rat for attempts on goal – he’s a little cheaper at 5.0 in Uefa and leads the way for interceptions over the ten group matches.
In midfield, right winger Gabriel Torje (6.0 in Uefa) looks an under the radar option. Although he failed to play a part in any of his nation’s goals, Torje – who dominates dead-ball duties – was top for shots and efforts on target and joint-top for key passes, whilst he also produced more crosses than any team-mate.
Up top, Claudiu Keseru (6.5) seems the likeliest to nail down the lone striker berth. Having scored just once in qualifying, though, he faces a tough task to find a way into our three-man frontlines.
The Long Shots
Lucien Sanmartean (5.0 in Uefa) and Nicolae Stanciu (6.0) could battle it out for the role in “the hole” behind the lone frontman. The former leads the way for assists (three) in qualifying, though lacks an end product and managed just a single shot in 496 minutes. Stanciu could be one to monitor over the remaining friendlies. Handed his debut in a friendly against Lithuania in March, he emerged from the bench to net the winner and was also voted Man of the Match in a friendly against Spain a few days later.
At 5.0, Mihai Pintilii could prove to be a decent enabler in the Draft Kings game. The defensive midfielder started eight of the qualifiers and his combative nature should pick up points for successful tackles and interceptions, though a tendency to incure the referees’ wrath could lose points for fouls conceded.
Cristian Sapanaru played no part in the qualifiers but has since started three of the last four friendlies at right-back. Priced at 4.5 in the Uefa game, he could appeal to those on the lookout for a budget backline enabler, though is not quite nailed-on and remains a somewhat risky pick.
Further Analysis
Upcoming Friendlies
Romania vs Ukraine (May 29), Romania vs Georgia (June 3)
