UEFA EURO 2016 Group A – Romania Team Predictions, Odds and Preview

Romania – No. 19 in FIFA World Rankings

Team Strengths:

Thanks to the leadership of head coach Anghel Iordanescu, the Tricolorii were one of just four teams to remain unbeaten during qualifying. Granted, it wasn’t the strongest group, which included shock group winners Northern Ireland, Hungary, Finland and Greece, but it’s a feat nonetheless.

Despite lacking in truly world class talent, Iordanescu was still able to forge a nearly impenetrable defense. No team conceded fewer goals during qualifying than Romania and their measly two goals given up.

If Romania are to pull off a huge shock as +800 outsiders to win Group A over hosts France, their impressive defense will be a big reason why.

Team Weaknesses:

As good as Romania’s defense can be, though, their offense is as anemic as they come. Of all the teams that qualified, no team scored fewer goals the the 11 the Tricolorii put up in 10 games. They scored more than one goal in just two of those 10 games.

Attacking midfielders Bogdan Stancu and Gabriel Torje are capable of supplying goals from time to time, but they lack a competent center forward who can spearhead their very unreliable attack. Romania are priced at +120 to fail to qualify for the round of 16.

Team Stats (During Euro Qualifiers):

Category | Stat
Goals Scored Per Game | 1.1
Goals Conceded Per Game | 0.2
Goal Attempts Per Game | 13.2
Pass Completion Percentage | 85%
Ball Possession Percentage | 53%

Starting Lineup:

Position | Name (Age) | Career Caps | Goals
Goalie | Ciprian Tătăruşanu (30) | 34 | 0
Defender | Răzvan Raț (34) | 108 | 2
Defender | Vlad Chiricheş (26) | 38 | 0
Defender | Gabriel Tamaș (32) | 65 | 3
Defender | Alexandru Măţel (26) | 15 | 0
Midfielder | Ovidiu Hoban (33) | 18 | 1
Midfielder | Mihai Pintilii (31) | 28 | 1
Midfielder | Gabriel Torje (26) | 47 | 9
Midfielder | Bogdan Stancu (28) | 38 | 9
Midfielder | Nicusor Stanciu (23) | 2 | 1
Forward | Claudiu Keșerü (29) | 10 | 4

Writer’s Prediction

Romania continue their struggles in front of goal as they crash out of the tournament in the group stage.