Former Dinamo player recalls Claudiu Niculescu's shocking free-kick precision

Andrei Nițu, a former Dinamo defender and member of the squad that won the title in 2007, shared memories of playing alongside Claudiu Niculescu. In an interview, Nițu highlighted the striker's exceptional ability from set pieces, which often left teammates and opponents in awe.

Nițu recalled that the confidence in Niculescu's technique was so high that players in the defensive wall would joke about the impending goal. He stated that teammates would say they should go to the cashier because the free kick was effectively a penalty, indicating their certainty that Niculescu would score.

Describing the physical experience of standing in the wall, Nițu noted the audible sound of the ball passing near his ear. He emphasized that the shots were both powerful and precisely placed, creating a sensation that he had never witnessed before or since in his career.

Niculescu himself has previously detailed the impact of his specialty on the game. He explained that opposing coaches actively instructed their players to avoid committing fouls within 20 to 25 meters of their own goal to prevent giving him a scoring opportunity from a direct free kick.

Regarding his statistical record, Niculescu stated that he scored approximately 160 goals in Liga 1, with nearly a quarter of those coming from free kicks. He described this skill as his personal brand, attributing it to a combination of innate quality and practice.

Niculescu also contrasted training conditions with match realities, noting that players must lift the ball over a wall that stands about 2.30 meters high during games. He expressed disappointment that in 15 years of coaching, no player had ever asked him to explain his technique for taking free kicks.