NATIONS LEAGUE // Head coach Lilian Popescu, Nicky Clescenco optimistic ahead of “crucial match” against Slovakia; victory would put Moldovan football team on first position in group

Moldova’s national football team is preparing for another important clash in the 2026/27 Nations League, as it is set to face Slovakia on October 6. The match will be played at Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau, kicking off at 21:45.

The Tricolors approach this match in high spirits, after securing a 2-1 away victory over Kazakhstan. The result in Astana marked head coach Lilian Popescu’s first win in charge of the national team and ended a negative run of 17 matches without a victory—five draws and 12 defeats—that had lasted almost two years. Tuesday’s match carries enormous stakes: a victory over Slovakia would send the Tricolors to the top of Group C3.

Lilian Popescu: “I demand discipline, character, commitment, organization and creativity”

Head coach Lilian Popescu highlighted the major importance of the match in Chisinau and provided details about the squad’s physical condition following the trip to Kazakhstan.

“Tomorrow, our national team faces an important match. I would even call it crucial. I hope we will take the field tomorrow full of confidence. We now know our opponent—Slovakia—better (our team lost the first-leg match 0-2). We saw that, in their last match, against the Faroe Islands, they rested their key players. After the match in Astana, we focused more on the players’ recovery. I hope everyone will be fit by kickoff. Oleg Reabciuc and Gherasimenco have minor problems, but I hope the medical staff will do everything possible to have them ready for the match,” Popescu said at a press conference.

The coach also spoke about the principles he is trying to instill in the national team and made an appeal to the supporters.

“It is a very important match for us. I want us to be organized and approach this game with total commitment. I demand discipline, character, dedication, organization and creativity. These are my principles. Regardless of the result, I am pleased that there are positive changes. This was my goal when I took over the national team. I want us to create an organized team that will achieve great performances in the future. These players need the support and energy of the fans. I can promise one thing—everyone will give their very best on the pitch, until the final breath,” head coach Popescu emphasized.

Nicky Cleșcenco: “Mentally, we are ready and focused on a positive result”

For his part, Nicky Clescenco, striker of the Scotch team Kilmarnock, who scored the opening goal in the match against Kazakhstan—a landmark goal, as it was the 250th in the history of our national team—confirmed the excellent atmosphere within the squad.

“We are happy with the victory we achieved in Astana against Kazakhstan. We are still recovering physically, but mentally we are ready for the match against Slovakia. We are all focused on achieving a positive result. I believe the victory in the last match gave us an additional boost of confidence. I invite the supporters to come to the match in large numbers and go home knowing that we gave everything on the pitch,” the footballer added.

Crucial victory in Astana and the Group C3 context

The 2-1 victory in Kazakhstan was secured by Nicky Cleșcenco’s goal, scored in first-half stoppage time with a well-placed shot from 15 meters, and Petru Popescu’s goal for Petrocub, a header following a corner taken by Sergiu Perciun.

The match also produced several other notable statistical milestones:

- Mihail Gherasimencov (Vancouver Whitecaps) made his 10th appearance for the national team.

- Lilian Popescu recorded his first official victory as head coach.

- The Tricolors ended a winless run that had lasted since November 16, 2024, when they defeated Andorra 1-0.

In the other Group C3 match, the Faroe Islands and Slovakia drew 1-1.

The October 6 evening’s match at Zimbru Stadium gives the Tricolors the ideal opportunity to move to the top of the group standings alongside Slovakia. Slovakia currently has seven points; Moldova has four points; the Faroe Islands has three points and Kazakhstan has one point.