Former Romania defender Dorin Goian told Fanatik what he thinks about the prospects of his country's national team at Euro 2024, where it will start in Group E with Belgium, Ukraine and Slovakia.
Doreen Goyan- What do you think about the friendly matches of the Romanian national team with Bulgaria (0:0) and Liechtenstein (0:0)?
- Of course, I am a bit disappointed after these two games. We failed to score goals in them. But now it is important to stay positive. The Euros are starting and we have to forget about those matches. After all, we reached the European Championship - that is the main result now. Moreover, at this tournament the concentration of players will be much higher than in friendly matches. It is important for the team to find its best form and get the number of points needed to get out of the group.
- Will the team be able to cope with the huge psychological pressure during the Euros?
- I hope that the players will not only cope with it, but will use it to raise their concentration level to 200%. I am sure they will. It is important to catch our game, at least in the first match, against Ukraine. But it will not be an easy match. From my point of view, Ukraine is the main favorite of our group, the main contender to win it. It is very important not to lose the first match. And then... I am sure that we can beat Slovakia, and I believe that we can surprise Belgium.
- What do you think will be Romania's main advantage in the upcoming matches?
- We are strong as a team and we can succeed through a very good organization of the game. This is what the Romanian national team demonstrated in the qualifying cycle of Euro 2024 (the Romanians won their qualifying group - ed.). I don't see a player in our team who has the level of quality to single-handedly change this or that game moment. Maybe only Janis Hadji, and that if it's a good day for him. We don't have players from top clubs. And this can be compensated only by team play. And, of course, we need to take advantage of any moment at the opponent's goal.
- If you were told that the match with Ukraine would end 0-0, would you be happy?
- Yes. It would be nice not to lose to Ukraine.
Translation and stylistic adaptation - Dynamo.kiev.ua, when using the material hyperlink is mandatory!
