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Romania: The Dream Start to their Euro 2024 Campaign

June 20, 2024
Euro 2024

Romania has a storied presence in the Euros. Their notable performances in the tournament came in 2000. Football legend Gheorghe Hagi was at the front and center of the team and played a great role in their achievements. He was supported by Gheorghe Popescu, who was a great asset to the team as a leader and a solid defender. They drew with Germany and beat England 3-2. They lost in the quarter-final to Italy.

 

Ukraine has been consistently improving over the years in the tournament. Under the management of Andriy Shevchenko in Euro 2020, Ukraine reached the quarter-finals, beating Sweden in the round of 16 in extra time but bowing out to England in the quarter-finals.

 

Ukraine and Romania faced each other in their opening match of Euro 2024. Fans of both sides were optimistic and created a great atmosphere. Ukraine were the favorites with players like Andriy Lunin, Mykhailo Mudryk, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and La Liga top scorer Artem Dovbyk in their starting 11.

 

Andriy Lunin: The Ukrainian Making a Name for Himself in Goal at Real Madrid

 

The match started with good pace and Romania slowly settled into their 4-1-4-1 setup. The Romanian line would push ahead when Ukraine recycled the ball back, but the shape was kept intact. They won some balls in the Ukraine final third, but even if Ukraine went around them through the wings, the Romanian players came back to create a tight low block which Ukraine were unable to break.

 

Romania tried to attack using long balls and even if the balls were off target, the Romanians were first to the second ball. They played with aggression to win the ball back. In the 28th minute, in an attempt to recycle play, Ukraine played back to Lunin. He was put under pressure immediately by the Romanian striker and his clearance fell straight to Dennis Man, who played the ball into his captain Nicolae Stanciu.

 

Stanciu went on to score a worldie into the top left corner, giving Romania an early lead. As halftime was nearing, both teams had attacks back and forth but failed to find the goal before the break. The start of the second half was very similar to the first, with Romania sitting disciplined in their shape and Ukraine trying different ways to break them.

 

In the 52nd minute, the ball went out for a Ukraine throw. Romania won it back fast and started a quick counter-attack by passing through the Ukrainian players. The ball was played to Man on the edge of the box and he took a heavy touch but slid it into the path of Răzvan Marin, who hit it low into the left corner to double Romania’s lead. The goal should’ve been saved by Lunin but the ball crept under him into the goal.

 

 

In the 56th minute, Romania won a corner which they took quickly. Dennis Man cut in to beat one defender and played a dangerous ball through the Ukrainian defense, and the move was finished by Denis Drăguș to give them a three-goal cushion.

 

After the goal, Ukraine tried hard to break the Romanian defense but they were solid throughout the game, staying disciplined and not switching off. The game was managed well by Romanian manager Edward Iordănescu, and Romania got off to a dream start with a 3-0 win.

 

Romanian manager Edward Iordănescu set up his team perfectly and came in with a flawless game plan. The Romanian defense gets credit for keeping the clean sheet and staying solid throughout the game. Dennis Man was the standout player in attack, serving as an important creative outlet responsible for 2 assists.

 

This win will be a warning for other teams in Group E. At the moment, they stand at the top of their group. If Romania consistently plays with a defined tactical setup and comes with a great game plan, they could be very difficult to beat and could go far in the tournament.

 

By: @TSpec1al

Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Ivan Romano / Getty Images

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