Belarus hosts Romania with both teams looking to get their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign back on track. With four games left, Romania has the second automatic qualification slot in Group I. Belarus realistically needs to win to keep any slender aspirations alive.
Preview (Belarus vs. Romania)
Romanian fans are eager for a tournament where they can get enthusiastic after only competing in three major competitions since the turn of the millennium. They failed to advance past the group stage in each of their Euro 2008 and Euro 2016 campaigns. There are indications that they may be making progress. In their last 10 games in all competitions, Edward Iordanescu’s team has only lost once. It included a six-game unbeaten run in Group I. With just four goals conceded throughout that stretch, Romania has amassed 12 points and is only two points behind group leaders Switzerland.
The onus is on Iordanescu’s side to provide the most points from their matches with Belarus and Andorra because Israel and Switzerland are coming in November. According to Belarus, there have been instances when they threatened to accrue far more points than the four that they have. Three of their four losses—against Romania and twice to Israel—have been decided by a single goal, and they have one win—over Kosovo.
However, being held to a scoreless tie by Andorra was one of their worst outcomes in recent memory. To round up their September schedule, Israel defeated them 1-0 thanks to a last-second goal. Although 12 points are still up for grabs, Carlos Alos will hope that more time spent working with his team will help them progress. Nevertheless, they are essentially playing for pride. However, securing a result against Romania or Switzerland will position them in advance of important matches with Kosovo and Andorra in November. The fourth place remains a noteworthy aim.
Team News
Alos might decide to stick with the same Belarus XI from the match against Israel. They nearly held them to a scoreless draw. If Alos decides he wants extra width, Ivan Bakhar and Pavel Savitskiy are the most likely to join the club. However, much will depend on whether he wants to continue with a 5-4-1 configuration. One of the team’s outstanding players, Vitaly Lisakovich, believes he has a chance to be re-signed to the squad.
Due to George Puscas’ one-match suspension, Iordanescu will have to alter the starting lineup for Romania. The offense will likely be led by Denis Alibec, however, Valentin Mihaila is vying to start on the left wing. He scored against Kosovo as a substitute. We can only anticipate much of the same because these two clubs have already engaged in a fiercely contested match. Romania hasn’t lost yet in this group, though, so that streak should continue tonight, perhaps with another 2-1 victory over the opposition.
Belarus 1 – 2 Romania
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