Romania head coach Edward Iordanescu has lost an integral defender to suspension ahead of Tuesday's Euro 2024 last-16 clash with the Netherlands at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

The Tricolours unexpectedly emerged victorious from Group E with four points under their belts, pipping all of Belgium, Ukraine and Slovakia to first place on account of a superior goals scored tally.

However, in the 1-1 draw with the Slovakians in their final group game, left-back Nicusor Bancu was booked for the second time in the tournament, thus ruling him out of Tuesday's game through suspension.

With Bancu on the naughty step, Iordanescu will likely switch Andrei Ratiu to the left-hand side and introduce Vasile Mogos to the right-back role, as he is a more defensive-minded option than the other alternative, Deian Sorescu.

Mogos will join an otherwise untouched backline also comprising Radu Dragusin, Andrei Burca and number one goalkeeper Florin Nita, while Marius Marin acts at the midfield screen just ahead of them.

Two-goal Razvan Marin did not train fully throughout last week due to load management, but there is nothing to suggest that he will not be involved from the off alongside skipper Nicolae Stanciu.

Dennis Man and Valentin Mihaila lead the queue for promotion from the bench, but Ianis Hagi and Florinel Coman are expected to reprise their roles either side of number nine Denis Dragus.

Romania possible starting lineup:
Nita; Mogos, Dragusin, Burca, Ratiu; R. Marin, S. Marin, Stanciu; Hagi, Dragus, Coman

> Click here to see how the Netherlands could line up for this match

Written by
Ben Knapton