BACK after eight years away from big tournaments, Romania should be confident after topping their qualifying group by five points and going unbeaten.
But there are few household names in the squad familiar to English fans.
Best known over here is Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin.
He was signed by Spurs from mid-table Italian Serie A side Genoa in January, the centre-back claimed it was a move made “in his heart” after several other big clubs showed an interest.
After making a steady number of appearances upon arrival in London, Dragusin found it hard to find first-team appearances.
But at only 22, he is perhaps a signing for the future and will be given more game time next season.
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Manager: Edward Iordanescu
His father Anghel managed them at the 1994 World Cup where they reached the last eight. Tough act to follow.
Key man: Radu Dragusin
Has his work cut out trying to win a place in the team at club level but often players like this still turn it on at international level.
Likely line-up
Prediction
With Belgium set to win Group E and Slovakia favourites to come bottom – it will be between Ukraine and Romania for second place.
There is a chance they could face England if they finish third.
Most read in Euro 2024
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Latest odds
William Hill have them at 11/8 to finish in the top two of their group and 125/1 to go all the way and win Euro 2024.
How they attack
Romania set up in a 4-2-3-1 shape in this tournament.
And as with so many other teams in Germany, they play out from the back through short deep combinations.
They have strong technical players and they understand how to rotate and move in the midfield to create passing angles to play through the opposition press.
The midfielders for Romania are technically strong and comfortable receiving the ball when facing their own goal.
They will take the ball in deep areas under pressure and typically play one or two touch football to play through and break lines.
They are not particularly organised at times though as they rely on quick combinations to try to move the ball forwards.
While the build-up is generally effective from the Romanian’s in deep positions, they are less effective when the ball is in the final third.
At times they struggle to find solutions to break down teams that are organised and effective against the ball.
How they defend
Romania do not use a high defensive line and they will instead drop into a medium or deep defensive block.
They can struggle with maintaining their block and players can be dragged out of position.
This will be dangerous in this tournament as good players will take advantage of these spaces.
When the opposition are in possession in these kind of situations, Romania struggle against the ball as they do not have an effective or organised way of defending.
This allows the opposition to find ways to play through or around their defensive block easily.
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While they are not an effective unit when it comes to defending higher up the pitch, they defend and work well close to the Romanian goal.
The midfield will collapse back to defend centrally and force the opposition wide.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
