Romania ended the massive Group E drama as section winners although all four teams ended on four points.
The top spot in the group will count for little as the round of 16 pairing is not quite rewarding for Edward Iordanescu’s men.
Romania face the Netherlands in the battle for the quarter-finals on Tuesday evening at Fussbal Arena Munchen.
- Romania lost just 2 of the last 18 games in all competitions.
- Netherlands took only one point in the previous two matches in Group D.
- Oranje shipped three goals in a defeat to Austria seven days ago.
- Romania scored four goals in the group phase.
Romania opened Euro with a huge performance in a 3-0 drubbing of Ukraine. They have claimed a point from the following two games but it was still enough for the top spot in the section.
Edward Iordanescu’s troops needed a point against Slovakia on the final day of the group stage. Although it was an open game packed with chances, both teams got what they needed as a 1-1 stalemate made both parties happy.
The Netherlands missed a big chance to win their group as a 2-3 final day defeat to Austria dropped them to third place.
However, Ronald Koeman’s men still had luck with the draw as it sent them to the far easier path on the right side.
Romania vs Netherlands Predicted Lineups and Team News
Iordanescu will have to find solution to cover the left-back spot as he will be without suspended Nicusor Bancu in the round of 16.
Elsewhere, we expect the return of Dennis Man and Valentin Mihaila to the starting lineup. The former came on from the bench in the match against Slovakia while Mihaila was an unused sub.
Ronald Koeman will likely make changes to the team that fell 2-3 to Austria on Tuesday.
We should thus see Denzel Dumfries and Xavi Simons back in the starting XI for this game.
Romania (4-5-1): Nita – Ratiu, Dragusin, Burca, Racovitan – Marin, Man, Marin, Stanciu, Mihaila – Dragus
Netherlands (4-3-3): Verbruggen – Dumfries, de Vrij, van Dijk, Ake – Schouten, Simons, Reijnders – Frimpong, Depay, Gakpo.
