Romania 0-1 Bosnia Player Ratings: Bosnia snap 8-game losing streak courtesy Gigovic’s early goal

Both teams entered the game on the back of contrasting runs of form. While Romania came in having won all 6 of their previous games, the Bosnians entered this game without a win in their last 8 international fixtures.

The first half was a hard watch in terms of the quality of chances created, which were at a premium and few and far between. Both teams lined up in a 4-3-3 formation as their defenses were strong for vast stretches of the first 45 minutes. It was the Bosnians who registered the first shot of the match, though it was not on target.

Some good work down the left flank saw Demirović in space in the Romanian penalty box, but he dawdled on the ball for far too long and eventually ended up scything his shot well off target.

The next few minutes of the game went by without anything of note as both teams moved the ball around whenever they had it without threatening their opposite number much. However, all that changed in the 14th minute of the game when Bosnia took the lead against all odds.

A slick pass by Bosnia skipper Edin Džeko found Kolašinac on the left, who took a lovely turn to get himself acres of space down the byline. He then delivered a lovely low cutback into the danger area, where Armin Gigović found the back of the net despite the Romanian keeper doing extremely well to get a hand to it. This was only the 4th goal that Romania have conceded in their last 7 games (this game being the 7th).

That opening goal spurred the hosts into action as they began to play with a much-improved tempo and a sense of urgency that was lacking until they conceded the goal. They should have been on level terms just 10 minutes after conceding, but Denis Drăguş dragged his shot wide when he should have been testing the goalkeeper from there. This was after some good work by him and Bancu, who delivered a good ball to find the former in the box following a quickly taken throw-in.

Drăguş was guilty was fluffing a couple of more chances as Romania went into the break with another Drăguş effort going wide off the target, this time a glancing header after some more good work by Bancu.

Romani started the second half as the better team, and Drăguş had a venomous shot saved by the Bosnia keeper after some nifty work by Stanciu following a corner. It was quite evident things were not going Romania’s way when a potential penalty claim was waived off after a lengthy VAR check by the referee.

Drăguş had another shot expertly saved by the Bosnia goalkeeper. Romania huffed and puffed, but they could not find the leveler they desperately wanted. Bosnia had a golden chance in the end to finish it 2-0, but substitute Baždar blazed his chipped effort over the bar.

Romania Player Ratings

GK- Florin Niță- 5/10

Did extremely well to get a hand to try and prevent the opening goal, but was unfortunate to see it squirm past the line. Was booked for a foul after a risky foray outside his penalty area.

RB- Andrei Rațiu- 5/10

Was rugged in his way of defending and came through with some strong and physical challenges. Did not offer much going forward apart from a blocked effort on the stroke of half-time.

CB- Mihai Popescu- 5/10

Similar to his defensive partner. Did well to marshal the threat of Džeko, making him a no-contest.

CB- Andrei Burcă- 5/10

Was caught up as he could not track the run of Gigović for the opening goal. Did decently after that though.

LB- Nicușor Bancu- 6/10

The full-back put in two delicious crosses from the left flank that should have been scored by Drăguş. Had another sumptuous cross in the second half. Defended equally well to go with his attacking performance. Booked midway through the second half.

RCM- Marius Marin- 5/10

Did have a few good moments on the ball, but was not able to make a big contribution. Quiet game overall

CM- Răzvan Marin- 6/10

Tried his best by trying to make something happen from the middle of the park. Kept the ball ticking as Romania kept pushing forward.

LCM- Nicolae Stanciu- 5/10

Romania’s captain had an off-game for his standards. He had a couple of good give-and-go’s but could not provide the creative spark his team needed.

RW- Dennis Man- 6.5/10

Was arguably Romania’s best player on the night. Tried taking on players whenever he got the ball, and the Bosnian defense seemed to double-team him whenever he was in possession. Was unlucky to not have conjured something for his side.

ST- Denis Drăguş- 6/10

Could have and should have done better with those two very good chances he had to level things for his side. Finally had two shots on target early in the second half which were extremely well-saved. Unlucky to not find the back of the net.

LW- Florin Tănase- 4/10

Barely made any tangible contributions to the game in his time on the pitch. Was duly substituted at half-time

Sub- Ianis Hagi- 5/10

Had a couple of shots but could not break the deadlock. Booked towards the end for dissent.

Sub- Adrian Șut- 5/10

Tried to force the issue from his end. Did not get much success.

Sub- Alexandru Mitriță- 4/10

Was subbed in too late. Could not make much of an impact.

Sub- Olimpiu Morutan- 4/10

Was subbed in too late. Could not make much of an impact.

Sub- Denis Alibec- 4/10

Was subbed in too late. Could not make much of an impact.

Manager- Mircea Lucescu- 5/10

The manager tried to get the equalizer but failed to do so. It was one of those days where nothing went right because of a mix of poor fortune and ordinary play.

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Bosnia Player Ratings

GK- Nikola Vasilj- 7/10

Had an excellent night between the sticks. Had nothing to do in the first half, but pulled off some spectacular saves in the second half to keep his clean sheet intact. Was booked for time-wasting.

RB- Arjan Malić- 6/10

Kept things nice and tight on his flank. Largely nullified the threat of Stanciu as the game wore on

CB- Stjepan Radeljić- 6/10

Was strong in the air and commanded the backline well. Largely kept things under control.

CB- Adrian Leon Barišić- 5/10

Should have done a little better than let Drăguş run through his blindside. Was decent otherwise

LB- Sead Kolašinac- 7/10

The veteran rolled back the years with his turn and assist for the goal. Was his usual strong and physical self as he ran the hard yards to keep his team’s clean sheet intact.

RCM- Benjamin Tahirović- 6/10

Solid performance in the middle to neutralize his Romanian counterparts. Was neat and tidy in possession as well.

CM- Ivan Šunjić- 6/10

Worked well in tandem with Tahirović to keep the Romanian midfield quiet. Solid and reliable with the ball

LCM- Armin Gigović- 7.5/10

His goal was the difference between the two sides as he made a good run to pick his spot. Was lively throughout the game until he was substituted due to injury.

RW- Ermedin Demirović- 6/10

Skewed his effort horribly wide in the first few minutes of the game. Had a good game in defense with his three interceptions.

ST- Edin Džeko- 5/10

Was ineffective despite his involvement in the goal. Was withdrawn at half-time.

LW- Amar Dedić- 6/10

Dictated play well from the left as he kept pinging those long balls. Managed to keep Man in check for most parts of the game

Sub- Samed Baždar- 5/10

Was brought on for Dzeko in the second half. Should have sealed the game late into extra time but miscued his shot horribly.

Sub- Amar Memić- 5/10

Brought on to shore bodies and protect the lead. Did his job reasonably well.

Sub- Dario Šarić- 5/10

Was subbed in too late. Could not make much of an impact.

Sub- Dzenis Burnic- 4/10

Was subbed in too late. Could not make much of an impact.

Sub- Ermin Bičakčić- 4/10

Was subbed in too late. Could not make much of an impact.

Manager- Sergej Barbarez- 7/10

Barbarez can finally breathe a sigh of relief after getting a much-needed win. Made the changes at the right time. Saw the game through with more defensive bodies and smart in-game decisions.

Sportsdunia Player of the Match Goes to Armin Gigović.

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