Euro qualifying Group I will resume this weekend, with a vital match between Romania and Israel in Bucharest. Romania could go top of Group I with a win over Israel at home.
The Romanians are chasing group leader Switzerland. The Swiss took 10 points from their opening four matches. Romania are just two points behind Switzerland after four matches.
Training at Mogoșoaia in preparation for the #EURO qualifiers 💪 pic.twitter.com/1p4NAPmDbn— Romanian Football (@RoFtbl) September 6, 2023
Training at Mogoșoaia in preparation for the #EURO qualifiers 💪 pic.twitter.com/1p4NAPmDbn
Israel are third in the standings after four matches. The Israelis took seven points from four matches and could go level on points with group leader Switzerland with a win.
Of course, Romania and Israel will be hoping Switzerland lose their matchday No. 5 fixture against Kosovo.
As it stands, Switzerland, Romania, and Israel are the only teams in the group with a shot at progressing to the next phase of the European Championships.
Since 1994, Romania and Israel have played six times. The matches were split into two wins, two draws, and two defeats apiece.
Romania go into the match on Saturday unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions.
In June, the Romanians took points off Switzerland thanks to a 2-2 draw. Romania scored six goals in their opening four games of the tournament.
Valentin Mihalia scored twice in the draw against Switzerland. The Romanians were down two goals in the 89th minute before Mahalia scored twice to salvage a point. Romania went unbeaten in their last two games against Israel.
Israel are on a two-match winning streak ahead of Saturday’s match in Bucharest. In their last two internationals, Israel claimed wins over Belarus 2-1 and Andorra 2-1.
Romania are light on quality goalscorers. Four different players combined to score the team’s six goals in Euro 2024 qualifying.
Striker George Puscas and Nicolae Stanciu have combined to score 22 goals in international football.
The majority of Israel’s squad plays its club football domestically. Forward Manor Solomon is the marquee player in the Israel squad.
The forward started his Tottenham Hotspur career in fine form. He has only scored seven international goals in 35 previous caps.
Like Romania, Israel are short on goalscorers. Solomon scored in Israel’s 2-1 win over Andorra in June. He needs to have a big game if Israel are to win against Romania.
Romania and Israel last met in 2022, with the game ending, 2-2. Munas Dabbur scored twice for Israel, while Romania’s Alexandru Cicaldau and Dennis Man scored.
Saturday’s Group I meeting should be a low-scoring affair, with the teams cancelling each other out. The match should finish nil-nil.