Former Romania midfielder Alin Stoica told Fanatik what he thinks about the matches of the 2nd round in Euro-2024 Group E: Slovakia - Ukraine, Belgium - Romania.
Alin Stojka- I don't think the Belgians are stressed after the defeat to Slovakia in the first round (0:1 - ed.). They realize that the match with Romania is very important for them and they must win it. Belgians are used to this kind of pressure playing for their clubs - almost all of them play for teams that compete for trophies.
That Belgium lost to Slovakia was a fluke. Considering the scoring opportunities the Belgians had, they didn't deserve to lose. The only goal in that match was scored due to an individual mistake. The same happened in the match between Romania and Ukraine, when the goals were scored because of Lunin's mistakes.
- How do you assess the current situation in Group E?
- As very confusing. If in the second round Ukraine will beat Slovakia, and Belgium - Romania, then all teams in the group will have three points. And there will be only one round left. Therefore, God forbid Romania to lose to Belgium, and Slovakia to Ukraine. I think one point in the match with the Belgians will be enough for Romania to get out of the group.
- And how should Romania play in order not to lose to Belgium? The same way as it was in the match with Ukraine?
- Wait, compared to Ukraine, Belgium had opportunities in the match against Slovakia, they constantly put real pressure on the goal. Surely Romania will have a much tougher match than against Ukraine. Ukrainians came out on the pitch very defiant. You could see from their faces that they were confident. But they possessed the ball fruitlessly, passed a lot across the field, being sure that they will score for us in the end.
The Belgian team will play differently. Moreover, this team is like a wounded animal right now. Romania will probably play from a deaf defense, and the decisive factor will be individual battles. It is important to be calm and wait for the opponent's mistake - as it was done in the match with Ukraine. But I am sure that the Belgians realize that they should be wary of Romania's counterattacks.
Belgium will try to close this match as quickly as possible to avoid a repeat of their history with Slovakia and Ukraine's history with Romania. So there will be a siege on the Romanian team's goal from the very first minutes of the game.
Translation and stylistic adaptation - Dynamo.kiev.ua, when using the material hyperlink is mandatory!
