Squad Selected by Mircea Lucescu for the Matches Against Kosovo and Cyprus in the Nations League

National team coach Mircea Lucescu has announced the squad for the final two matches of this year in Group C2 of the Nations League, where Romania will face Kosovo and Cyprus at the National Arena.

The match against Kosovo will take place on Friday, November 15, 2024, starting at 21:45, while the game against Cyprus is scheduled for Monday, November 18, 2024, also at 21:45. Fans are expected to turn out in large numbers, with over 40,000 spectators already prepared to support the national team in these decisive encounters.

Lucescu’s selection brings a few surprises and opportunities for young players, aiming to find a competitive formula and lay the groundwork for a solid future for Romanian football. Two young players, David Miculescu and Matei Ilie, are part of the squad for these matches. For Miculescu, this call-up marks his debut for the national team, a remarkable achievement for the FCSB winger. In defense, Lucescu surprised many by including Matei Ilie, a center-back who has returned to form after a recent injury and has stood out in this SuperLiga season.

Another player joining the national team under Lucescu’s command for the first time is Daniel Bîrligea. The FCSB striker has had notable performances in the Europa League, scoring three times in just four matches, earning him a spot in the squad over George Pușcaș, who was not included.

It is also noteworthy that FCSB has a significant presence in this squad, with the Romanian champions contributing five players – Târnovanu, Șut, Olaru, Bîrligea, and Miculescu. The last time the club had such a number of players in the national team was in 2022, under former coach Edi Iordănescu.

Another interesting choice is that Lucescu has called up only one natural left-back, Nicușor Bancu, an experienced player from Universitatea Craiova. If necessary, Deian Sorescu is prepared to take on the left-back role, despite his usual more advanced position on the field.

Overall, the national squad for the matches against Kosovo and Cyprus includes 26 players, of which 15 play in foreign leagues, while 11 are registered with SuperLiga clubs. The squad will gather on November 10 at the National Football Center in Mogoșoaia, where they will begin preparations for these matches. Lucescu hopes that the experience of international players will blend harmoniously with the energy of those from SuperLiga to achieve the desired results.