Romania – Netherlands

Romania don’t look like doomed outsiders against the Netherlands

On Tuesday, 2 July, the Romanian national team will play against the Netherlands in a play-off match. The match turned out to be quite unexpected, as the Romanians came out of the first line, while the opponent took the third position. For the Netherlands, the play-offs were already decided after the second round. The Romanian team has a very strong defence, which was once again demonstrated at the European Championship. The Ukrainians did not pick up either the keys or the lock picker to this lock. And then the Belgians and Slovaks were already tormented. Romania did not fall apart in any of the meetings at the Euro. The defence is held largely due to Atletico goalkeeper Moldovan and Tottenham centre-back Dragusin. The rest of the players don't make any gross errors. Coach Iordanescu's system is also important. The mentor does not hesitate to simply park the "bus". In matches involving Romania, very rarely a bet on the exchange of goals. For example, within the distance of six matches such an outcome was only once. Of the last nine games - one went for a total of more than three. Not everything is sad in attack. Fast wingers Coman, Man and Marin are capable of creating chances. Such Romania will be very uncomfortable for the Netherlands. A very important factor is the absence of Frenkie de Jong. The midfielder is out for the whole tournament, and he was a kind of intellectual centre in this team. The second point is the absence of a scoring classic centre forward. Simons, Depay and Gakpo work well together, but they struggle without space, and just as Romania will play compact and tight. Veghorst remains an option, but the player does not come out from the first minutes. The Netherlands did not convince of their strength in the group stage. Although in the match against Austria the realisation let them down, but in the game against Poland the intrigue lived almost until the last minutes, although the opponent was a clear outsider in the group. Traditionally, the Netherlands have great difficulties in defence, which was shown by the Austrian team. Romania is historically a very convenient opponent for the Netherlands. At the same time, this factor should hardly be taken into account, as the teams have not played each other for seven years. The statistics are still impressive: four wins in a row, goal difference: 13:1. Bookmakers have raised the odds on Romania to almost 10.00. It is doubtful that the game will be so easy for the favourite. The Netherlands are tormented precisely against traditional "buses". For example, Romania managed to contain Romelu Lukaku. Most likely, the Oranje will have an overwhelming advantage in ball possession. And the game itself may turn out to be low-scoring. Even if the favourite scores a quick goal, Romania will not change their game plan.