Overview of Romania’s October fixtures
Mircea Lucescu steps into a busy UEFA window with two high-stakes assignments in October. The first is a friendly against Moldova on Thursday night, October 9, at Arena Națională in Bucharest, with kickoff at 21:00. The match will be covered in live text on GSP.ro and broadcast on Prima TV. Three days later, on Sunday October 12 at 21:45, Romania faces Austria in a World Cup 2026 qualifier. That game will also be followed live on GSP.ro and shown on Antena 1. The doubleheader is an opportunity for Lucescu to test new ideas while managing players’ fitness after an intense start to the campaign.
Final squad and notable changes
The head coach surprised several observers with the final roster for Moldova and Austria. Ionuț Radu returns to the squad in goal, taking over from Horațiu Moldovan who has gone to a backup role at Oviedo after strong showings abroad. The selection also features three notable surprises: Cătălin Cîrjan, a midfielder from Dinamo who has impressed with 12 appearances this season and recorded two goals and three assists; Kevin Ciubotaru, a 21-year-old left-back from Hermannstadt; and Lisav Naif Eissat, a 20-year-old center-back from Maccabi Haifa with dual Romanian-Israeli citizenship. Lucescu’s choices signal a willingness to inject youth and different profiles into the defense and build from the back.
Defensive surprises in focus
Ciubotaru has drawn attention for his maturity and consistency with Hermannstadt, a club whose recent form has put him on the radar of bigger clubs and national team observers. His performance against top opponents, including a standout display against Rapid București, underscored his potential as a reliable option at left-back. Eissat, meanwhile, arrives with a promising trajectory from Israel’s Maccabi Haifa, bringing physical presence, speed, and a willingness to play the ball out from the back. At 20, he represents a long-term investment for Romania’s central defense.
The rest of the squad and key calls
Beyond the three surprises, Lucescu has kept a blend of established names and rising talents. The list includes seasoned midfielders and attackers such as Marius Marin, Răzvan Marin, Ianis Hagi, Dennis Man, and Olimpiu Moruțan, as well as attacking options Louis Munteanu, Daniel Bîrligea, and David Miculescu. The full roster also features veteran defenders and midfielders across Europe, reflecting Lucescu’s strategy of balancing experience with fresh legs. Notably absent due to injuries are captain Nicolae Stanciu and forward Denis Drăguș, while Alexandru Mitriță elected to withdraw from the national team.
Role of the Moldova match and the Austria test
The Moldova friendly is framed as a warm-up and a celebration of football ties with neighboring Moldova, with a robust fan event planned in Bucharest. The Austria fixture, by contrast, is a crucible in the World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign. Austria has been among the leaders in the group, and Romania enters the match with seven points from five games, aiming to narrow the gap and revive their qualification hopes. The Sunday game represents a pivotal moment for Lucescu to assess new combinations under pressure and to establish a stable core for the remaining fixtures.
Event day program and atmosphere
To mark the Moldova encounter, the Romanian Football Federation has organized a broader day of activities, including a fan zone and performances. The doors open at 18:00, with an engaging program culminating in a concert featuring Guess Who and Zdob si Zdub at 19:00, transforming Arena Națională into a festival-like setting for supporters before kickoff.
What this means for Romania ahead of the Austria game
Lucescu’s selections emphasize experimentation while safeguarding the team’s competitive spirit. The emergence of young players like Ciubotaru and Eissat suggests a shift toward longer-term plans, while the return of Ionuț Radu signals trust in the current goalkeeper setup. The absence of Stanciu and Drăguș creates opportunities for others to seize leadership roles, and the overall depth of the squad allows Lucescu to rotate without sacrificing balance. As Romania pursues a better result against Austria, the October fixtures will be a telling test of Lucescu’s tactical flexibility and his ability to integrate new talents into a cohesive unit.
