Belodedici remained ineligible due to having defected to Yugoslavia in December 1988. Belodedici now refused to play for Romania, and reportedly feared getting legally persecuted by the authorities after his defection. He had settled in Yugoslavia, and signed for Crvena Zvezda, for whom he made his debut on 18 February 1990 against Vardar Skopje (a).

Jenei did in fact have an excellent replacement for Belodedici in Gheorghe Popescu. He could of course had use for them both, as Popescu in midfield.

There was also a big right back problem. Both Dan Petrescu and Stefan Iovan had been injured and would be unavailable to take part in the World Cup. Petrescu had broken his ligaments in a league match for Steaua on 18 April, after an unfair challenge from Pavel Badea.

Jenei picked two young players in Adrian Popescu and Ionut Lupescu.

It has been claimed that Jenei pondered including two of Romania’s great players from the 80s, who now were well past it, but still active and could bring some experience: Ladislau Bölöni and Marcel Răducanu. Difficult to say how close they actually were.