Football
Emanuel Rosu 8y

Romania need a spark with Florin Andone waiting for his Euro chance

Romania will take on France, Albania and Switzerland in Group A. Here's a look at their squad and how they will fare at Euro 2016.

At a glance

There's hope among supporters that Romania can exceed expectations and qualify for the round of 16.

Home view

Expectations were high among fans and players before the two friendlies against DR Congo (1-1) and Ukraine (a 4-3 defeat) in Italy last month.

Those two unconvincing performances and some individual errors from the team's leaders abruptly woke up the world of Romanian football from its Euro dream. Romania confronted a painful but forgotten reality and brought back fears ahead of their opener against France, on June 10.

This leaderless generation, without a No. 10 and an uncertain captain, remind the fans once more about the dismal performances which have kept them moaning in disbelief ever since the likes of Adrian Mutu and Cristian Chivu retired from international football.

Star man

Cordoba's Florin Andone had an amazing season in the second tier of Spanish football, netting 21 goals and attracting interest from various La Liga clubs. Ambitious and willing to take risks, Andone represents everything this group of national team players doesn't. He wants to enjoy success and is willing to make sacrifices in order to reach it.

The 23-year-old is hungry and always ready to put up a fight. Andone, who moved to Spain when he was just a kid after his father tragically died in a car accident, has made the most of his chances. In 2014, he went from playing third tier football to the glamorous life among Barcelona and Real Madrid's superstars when he got promoted to Cordoba's first team.

Unlike his colleagues from the national team, he didn't see that as a high point in his career and wanted more. He's now hoping to start in France, but will keep his spirits high even if he doesn't. Manager Anghel Iordanescu is counting on Andone's positive attitude and has the comfort of being able to use him as Plan B strategy as well. But can he really keep the only effervescent player he takes to France on the bench?

Potential pitfalls

Romania conceded just two goals in the qualifiers and will focus on organisation and spirit to guide them through to a knockout place. But will it be possible to use the same strategy in order to produce results? Definitely not. Romania showed their defence is vulnerable against Congo and Ukraine, but the reference remains the 0-0 draw against Spain in March. Iordanescu will hope his boys can replicate that performance. The sad news is they don't seem able to.

Expected to be the main problem at Euro 2016, the attack will only get service if the defence does its job. Either out of form or lacking match fitness, Romania's back four starters will need to be at their best.

Predicted finish

There are two possible scenarios. Iordanescu's role is fundamental, and not only on a tactical level. If the manager can make his players believe in themselves, Romania can get past certain frustrations and reach their goal of qualifying from Group A. But if the atmosphere remains the same as now, the pressure could crank up on a set of players whose unity and spirit are its main strengths.

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