Former Dynamo Kyiv head coach Mircea Lucescu on the eve of the match of the 1st round of the group stage of Euro-2024 Romania - Ukraine spoke about the potential of the Romanian national team and the special motivation of its opponent.
Mircea Lucescu"Every team that is present at Euro-2024 has a chance to go through the groups. Napoleon said that "every soldier has a marshal's staff in his satchel". The Romanian national team has something similar, every single one of its players. We have the right to expect that any of them will become a marshal.
The most valuable thing about this Romanian national team is the team itself. After many years we are back at the European Championship, this result was achieved thanks to the common efforts. Personalities are important, but without the strength of the team behind them, they will not be able to decide the fate of the matches.
It is also good that we do not start the Euros from the position of favorites. The pressure on the team will be less.
As for the Ukraine national team, the war in that country will surely be a special motivation for the national team. Both for those who play abroad and constantly think about those who stayed at home, and, of course, for those who play in Ukraine. Believe me, it is not easy to play in the national championship, the matches of which are interrupted due to air raids, are held without spectators. And between matches - traveling only by bus. Plus there is constant fear and apprehension. And most importantly, it is not easy to play soccer knowing that your compatriots are dying somewhere," iAMSport quoted Lucescu as saying.
