Euro 2024: Imperious Dragusin shines as Romania down Ukraine

 

Ukraine may have been favourites to claim all the spoils in their Group E opener against Romania, but if there was a script; Edward Iordanescu's side didn't read it. Romania eased to a commanding 3-0 victory at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday, in part due to a rare Andrii Lunin gaffe that resulted in Nicolae Stanciu's stunning opener. 

 

Even for all of Ukraine's attacking power, they barely got a sniff at the Romania goal. Of the 13 shots they managed, five were in the Romania box, and just two of those 13 hit the target. 71.3% possession and nothing to show for it. As was to be expected, the Tricolorii put in a solid rearguard display, led by the impressive Radu Dragusin. 

 

 

The 22-year-old moved to Tottenham from Genoa at the turn of the year and, perhaps understandably, he found playing time hard to come back following his switch to north London. Ange Postecoglou had his preferred centre-back pairing in Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven and it was only going to take a change in formation or unavailability of one for Dragusin to force his way into the XI. 

 

Even when he had his chance, Spurs struggled. Indeed, his full debut saw Tottenham fall to a 3-0 loss at London rivals Fulham in mid-March. However, as the season drew to a close, Dragusin was presented with his chance to really prove his worth. With Destiny Udogie and Ben Davies injured, Van de Ven moved to left-back and the former Genoa man was partnered alongside Romero. 

 

In both games - a 2-0 loss to Manchester City and a 3-0 win at Sheffield United - Dragusin was solid but it was Monday's 3-0 win over Ukraine where supporters will have finally witnessed what the centre-back is really capable of. While it was a backs-to-the-wall performance from Romania, and not one to be expected from Postecoglou's Spurs side, Dragusin did what was needed to ensure a opening group stage victory. 

 

Even as Romania saw little in the way of possession, Dragusin managed an 88.9% pass success rate from his 18 passes. He got the ball rolling from the back when Romania needed a defender to help get the ball upfield. For context, centre-back partner Andrei Burca mustered a 69.2% pass success rate from his 13 passes. 

 

And yet it was Dragusin's ability to be in the right place at the right time that once again caught the eye. He managed 10 clearances in the win over Ukraine; no player has managed more in a Euro 2024 match at the time of writing. Despite coming up against an attack featuring the likes of Artem Dovbyk, Heorhii Sudakov and Mykhailo Mudryk from the outset, and Andrii Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk off the bench, Dragusin was an impenetrable brick wall, putting in a warrior-esque showing that will have appeased Spurs fans. 

 

 

In the opening group stage game, three points is key, especially with four of the six best placed third-placed teams progressing to the knockout stages. For Romania to dispatch of Ukraine the way they did further boosts their chances of navigating Group E. To some, Ukraine will have been considered dark horses for the Euros, and yet Romania contained Serhiy Rebrov's side with ease. 

 

"I think it was unexpected for everyone," Rebrov said following Ukraine's heavy defeat but to those who follow Romania; this wouldn't have been a huge shock. Led by the imperious Dragusin, the Tricolorii will be one of the tougher teams to break down in Germany this summer.

Euro 2024: Imperious Dragusin shines as Romania down Ukraine