Romania and the Netherlands will face each other in the round of 16 of Euro 2024, starting at 18:00 at the Allianz Arena in Munich. In the craziest group of these European Championships, Group E, where all four teams finished with four points, Romania finished first thanks to goal difference and goals scored. A rather disappointing group stage for the Oranje, who after the victory over Poland and the goalless draw against France, They fell 3-2 to Austria.
Also with four points, the Netherlands finished third in Group D behind Austria with six and France with five. The 3-2 defeat against Austria thwarted the Dutch’s ambitions of finishing first. Against Austria, Koeman’s players created many chances, but eventually capitulated. The Romanians also come from a victory, 3-0 against Ukraine, a defeat, 2-0 against Belgiumand a draw, 1-1 with Slovakia.
Euro 2024 Football Romania
Iordanescu’s statements
“If you have history in front of you, you are ready to give it your all. No match is easy, especially if it involves the quarter-finals of a European Championship,” emphasizes Romania coach Edward Iordanescu, according to whom “the Netherlands are the favorites tomorrow (Tuesday, Ed.), they have incredible players, but we also have our strengths.” At the 1994 World Cup, Romania, coached by the father of the current coach, reached the quarter-finals and was eliminated by Sweden on penalties. “They were fantastic moments, I was there, but this is a different group,” recalls Edward. “We know that we have to be almost perfect to get a result, don’t be fooled by how the Netherlands played against Austria.” Iordanescu’s dream is to reach these European Championships where his father reached the USA 1994: “Reaching the quarter-finals would be fabulous, it’s difficult to describe what it would mean. It will be important to be strong, disciplined, organized and determined, only then could things go in our favor.”
Koeman’s statements
“We are a proud nation, we like to win and play beautiful football. We know that we don’t always succeed and we will certainly take Romania seriously. We know what to expect and what we need to improve on compared to the last match”. This is how Ronald Koeman, coach of the Netherlands, began on the eve of the match in Munich. He then added: “We need to have more stability and this is achieved by not giving them space and by pressing better. This is what we are focusing on: against Austria we were superficial, they gained confidence and the opposite happened to us”. He then observed about Xavi Simons: “He is a great talent and great talents can play anywhere. He proved it in the national team and he proved it last season at Leipzig”. Koeman knows that Romania is a team that does not give discounts: “We expect them to be very aggressive. They are physically strong in defence and dangerous on set pieces”.
EURO24 – Depay’s goal for the Netherlands
The probable formations
Romania: Rivet; Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Bancu; M. Marin; Hagi, R. Marin, Stanciu, Coman; Darling
If: Verbruggen; Geertruida, De Vrij, van Dijk, Aké; Malen, Depay, Gakpo
Romania and Holland have been entrusted to the German refereeing trio: the referee will be Felix Zwayer, supported by assistants Stefan Lupp and Marco Achmüller
