Romania vs Ukraine-With the wait finally over, Group E rivals Romania and Ukraine kick off their Euro 2024 campaigns in Munich on Monday afternoon.
A resurgent Romanian side arrived in Germany as qualifying group winners in the first competitive meeting between the two countries, while their first opponents progressed through the playoffs.
Match preview
Taking part in a sixth European Championship – and first since 2016, when they finished bottom of their group with just one point – Romania are aiming to progress to the knockout stages this summer.
Historically, the Tricolori’s 6% win rate in Euro finals suggests it could prove a difficult task – their only success in 16 games was beating England at Euro 2000 – but last year’s results have raised expectations.
Completing a superb campaign, Romania beat Switzerland in their final qualifier to top Group I unbeaten, winning six and drawing four of 10 matches en route to Germany.
Having conceded just five goals in the process, their defensive prowess has been confirmed in recent friendlies: a 3-2 loss to Colombia, the Tricolori conceding just one goal in draws against Northern Ireland, Bulgaria and Liechtenstein.
Of course, being placed in a Euro 2024 group featuring Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine will put them up against much more challenging opposition, but Edward Iordanescu’s men may still feel they can improve – especially getting past a number of third-placed teams.
Romania vs Ukraine-Since taking over in 2022, Iordanescu has improved his country’s standing significantly, Romania vs Ukraine-and the 45-year-old is now leading Romania to a major tournament. Romania vs Ukraine-In fact, he was the first man to do so at Euro 2016 after his father, Angel Iordanescu – who also masterminded the fabled World Cup ’94 campaign.
Although, like Romania, they have been eliminated from Qatar 2022, Ukraine are now making their fourth consecutive appearance at UEFA’s continental championship, football, where they have rarely fared well.
Having lost eight of their 11 matches to date, the Ukrainians have also failed to score in six of nine group games – but they reached the quarter-finals three years ago.
This time, the war-torn nation will be aiming for a similar result to boost morale back home, after narrowly missing out on a place in the finals.
Qualifying third behind England and Italy depended on a play-off spot earned by their previous UEFA Nations League performances and Serhiy Rebrov’s side beat Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland thanks to two late winners.
Rebrov is officiating his first major tournament, and will now get his first taste of the Euros as the former Tottenham Hotspur striker did not appear at the European Championships during his famous playing days.
Results in the build-up have been mixed, as a goalless draw with Germany was followed by a 3–1 defeat by Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland, with Ukraine conceding three times within the opening half hour; however, the latter thrashed Moldova 4-0 to lift spirits ahead of Monday’s opener.
Team News
Due to a lack of goals in 2024, there remains some debate over the identity of Romania’s only striker for the Euros, with Denis Alibec, George Puskas and Denis Dragas all vying to start up front.
In goal, veteran stopper Florin Nita hopes to displace Atletico Madrid’s Horatio Moldovan, who has not featured for the Spanish side since joining in the winter transfer window.
Captain Nicolai Stanciu is a definite starter in midfield, scoring 14 goals in his international career to date, but skillful winger Olimpiu Marutan has been ruled out of action this summer with an ACL injury, leaving the door open for Parma duo Valentin Mihaila. Dennis Man.
Meanwhile, first-choice left-back Serhiy Rebrov will be unavailable on Monday as Vitaly Mykolenko is out with an ankle injury, with Oleksandr Zinchenko expected to switch from midfield to cover the Everton defender’s absence.
Mykhailo Mudrik and Viktor Tsygankov will feature out wide, while Shakhtar Donetsk star Heorhi Sudakov will take up an enhanced role in midfield.
Romania vs Ukraine-With 2 goals and 3 assists, Andriy Yarmolenko was involved in 5 of Ukraine’s 8 goals at the European Championship, but Artem Dovbyk claimed La Liga’s Pichichi award in a successful 1st season for Girona and is likely to start up front.
Romania vs Ukraine lineup:
Romania Probable Starting Lineup:
Nita; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burka, Banku; M. Marin, R. Marin; Mann, Stanciu, Mihaila; Dragus
Ukraine probable starting lineup:
Lunin; Konoplya, Zabarny, Matvienko, Zinchenko; Shaparenko, Stepanenko, Sudakov; Tsygankov, Dovbyk, Mudryk
Romania vs Ukraine prediction: Romania 0-1 Ukraine
As Ukraine clearly pack more punch up front, a stiff competition should swing their way and secure three valuable points.
Romania vs Ukraine-Romania managed to remain unbeaten during qualifying, but a distinct lack of firepower means their disappointing record at the Euros could continue.
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