Ciprian Marica

Ciprian Andrei Marica (Romanian pronunciation: [t͡ʃipriˈan anˈdrej ˈmarika]; born 2 October 1985) is a Romanian former footballer and owner of Farul Constanța. He played as a centre forward.

Ciprian Marica
Marica with Schalke 04 in 2011
Personal information
Full name Ciprian Andrei Marica[1]
Date of birth (1985-10-02) 2 October 1985
Place of birth Bucharest, Romania
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1996–2001 Dinamo București
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2003 Dinamo București 22 (4)
2004–2007 Shakhtar Donetsk 74 (15)
2007–2011 VfB Stuttgart 93 (19)
2011–2013 Schalke 04 34 (5)
2013–2014 Getafe 27 (6)
2014–2015 Konyaspor 7 (1)
2016 Steaua București 7 (0)
Total 264 (51)
National team
2001 Romania U–17 2 (0)
2002–2003 Romania U–19 3 (1)
2003–2006 Romania U–21 10 (4)
2003–2014[3] Romania 72 (25)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

Dinamo București

Marica's first professional club team was Dinamo București, from the city in which he was born. He started to gain attention even though he only played 23 games (scoring four goals) in three years with the club.

Shakhtar Donetsk

Ciprian transferred to the Ukrainian top club and played his so far best seasons with them. He gained international experience, getting to play in the UEFA Cup European competition.

VfB Stuttgart
Marica warming up for VfB Stuttgart in 2010.

On 23 July 2007, he transferred to German club VfB Stuttgart, after his former club, Shakhtar Donetsk, rejected another offer, from English team Derby County amongst interest from Manchester City.[4] Marica signed a 5-year contract. Stuttgart sporting director Horst Heldt said: "Ciprian is a very flexible forward, and a permanent thorn in the side of any opposition defence, who fits outstandingly into our team. He wanted to join us desperately."[5]

Marica made his debut for VfB in the Bundesliga on 12 August 2007, in a home game against Schalke 04 (2–2). In his first season, he got plenty of appearances (28), scoring only two goals in those (plus one goal in the UEFA Champions League, which led Stuttgart to their win against the Rangers F.C.).

After this first failed season then-coach Armin Veh mistrusted Marica, giving him only few appearances. Things seemed to get better after the sacking of Veh. New coach Markus Babbel entrusted him to play instead of Cacau, but Marica again failed to impress.

Only after Christian Gross replaced Babbel as VfB coach, Marica got a new chance, mainly profiting by long-time injury of Cacau. This time Marica didn't disappoint his coach, scoring four goals in three consecutive matches. (Two goals in a 2–0 victory for VfB on 20 March 2010 match in Bundesliga against Hannover 96, the winning goal on 27 March 2010 away at Bayern Munich and the equalizing goal in a 2–1 victory against Borussia Mönchengladbach on 3 April 2010.)

As of season 2010–11 he started again to be only the third choice behind Cacau and Pavel Pogrebnyak.

On 12 July 2011, Marica was released from his contract at Stuttgart.[6]

Schalke 04

On 28 July 2011, Marica signed a two-year contract with German club Schalke 04,[7] worth €5m.[8] He chose to remain in Germany, despite having offers from Premier League club Blackburn Rovers, and other two French clubs such as Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain.[9][10]

In a match against Maccabi Haifa, on 14 December, Marica scored one goal,[11] to help his team to a 3–0 win.[12] On 29 January 2012, Marica scored a double against 1. FC Köln[13] Although Lukas Podolski opened the score in the first half, Marica made it 2–1 for FC Schalke 04, with the game eventually ending in a 4–1 win for his team.[14] Towards the end of his contract with the team he received interest from teams such as Shakhtar, Lazio and Inter.[15]

Getafe

On 27 September 2013, Marica signed a contract with Spanish La Liga side Getafe.[16] He made his Getafe debut on 6 October as a substitute in the 3–1 win against Betis Sevilla. On 31 October, Marica scored his first league goal in a 2–0 away win against Villarreal.[17] In May 2014, he scored twice in a 2–1 win over Rayo Vallecano, keeping Getafe out of the relegation zone.[18]

Konyaspor

In the summer of 2014, Marica signed a two-year contract with Turkish side Konyaspor.[19] On 15 October 2015, he was released by Konyaspor. Marica played only seven games in 14 months for the Turkish side, mainly because of his injuries.[20]

FCSB

On 14 January 2016, Marica reached an agreement with FCSB, thus returning to Romania after twelve years. He became the 59th footballer to play for both big Bucharest rivals, Dinamo and FCSB.[21] In his first match with FCSB, a 2-0 victory against Concordia Chiajna, he played from the start and was replaced after 84 minutes. His performance was deemed weak and conservative,[22] as he only managed to get two opportunities in a game in which he was otherwise unremarkable.[23]

International career
Marica lining up for Romania in 2014

Marica scored 25 goals in 71 caps. He made his debut on 16 November 2003, in a friendly game with Italy played in Ancona and won by Squadra Azzurra 1–0. Marica was introduces in the 81st minute, replacing Daniel Pancu.[24] His first goal for the national team came on 17 November 2004, in a match against Armenia.[25]

On 25 March 2008, he was awarded the "Meritul Sportiv", class III medal, by the president of Romania, Traian Băsescu for the results on Qualifying to EURO 2008 and qualification to UEFA Euro 2008 Group C.[26][27]

He scored his first double for Romania in a 2012 European championship qualifying match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, on 3 June 2011.[28]

He scored his first ever Hat-trick for Romania in a friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago, on 4 June 2013.[28]

Career statistics

Club
Source:[29][30][31]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Europe Super Cup Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Dinamo București 2001–02 Divizia A 2000–––20
2002–03 11130–51–141
2003–04 10312–––166
Total 23442––51––327
Shakhtar Donetsk 2003–04 Vyscha Liha 12420––10154
2004–05 16270–9110333
2005–06 22510–9210337
2006–07 23620–114103710
2007–08 1000–00–10
Total 7417120––2974011924
VfB Stuttgart 2007–08 Bundesliga 28230–41–353
2008–09 27431–115–4110
2009–10 241020–61–3211
2010–11 13320–93–246
Total 9219101––3010––13230
Schalke 04 2011–12 Bundesliga 21210–111–333
2012–13 13333–30–196
Total 34543––141––529
Getafe 2013–14 La Liga 27621–––297
Total 27621––––––297
Konyaspor 2014–15 Süper Lig 6121–––82
2015–16 1000–––10
Total 7121––––––92
FCSB 2015–16 Liga I 701010––90
Total 701010––––90
Career total 264523581078194038279

International Matches
As of 28 March 2017[28]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Romania
200310
200441
200500
200653
2007113
200872
2009103
201061
201193
201272
201386
201441
Total7225

International goals
Source:[32] Scores and results list Romania's goal tally first.
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
117 November 2004Hanrapetakan Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia Armenia1–01–12006 FIFA World Cup Qualification
22 September 2006Stadionul Farul, Constanța, Romania Bulgaria2–02–2UEFA Euro 2008 Qualification
37 October 2006Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania Belarus2–03–1UEFA Euro 2008 Qualification
415 November 2006Estadio Ramón de Carranza, Cadiz, Spain Spain1–01–0Friendly
528 March 2007Ceahlăul Stadium, Piatra Neamț, Romania Luxembourg3–03–0UEFA Euro 2008 Qualification
617 October 2007Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg, Luxembourg Luxembourg2–02–0UEFA Euro 2008 Qualification
721 November 2007Național Stadium, Bucharest, Romania Albania5–16–1UEFA Euro 2008 Qualification
826 March 2008Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania Russia1–03–0Friendly
919 November 2008Stadionul Dinamo, Bucharest, Romania Georgia1–12–1Friendly
1011 February 2009Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest, Romania Croatia1–01–2Friendly
1128 March 2009Stadionul Farul, Constanța, Romania Serbia1–22–32010 FIFA World Cup Qualification
126 June 2009Sūduva Stadium, Marijampolė, Lithuania Lithuania1–01–02010 FIFA World Cup Qualification
1317 November 2010Hypo-Arena, Klagenfurt, Austria Italy1–01–1Friendly
1426 March 2011Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina1–01–2UEFA Euro 2012 Qualification
15.3 June 2011Giulești-Valentin Stănescu, Bucharest, Romania Bosnia and Herzegovina2–03–0UEFA Euro 2012 Qualification
16.3–0
177 September 2012A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn, Estonia Estonia2–02–02014 FIFA World Cup Qualification
1816 October 2012Arena Națională, Bucharest, Romania Netherlands1–21–42014 FIFA World Cup Qualification
19.4 June 2013Arena Națională, Bucharest, Romania Trinidad and Tobago1–04–0Friendly
20.2–0
21.4–0
226 September 2013Arena Națională, Bucharest, Romania Hungary1–03–02014 FIFA World Cup Qualification
23.15 October 2013Arena Națională, Bucharest, Romania Estonia1–02–02014 FIFA World Cup Qualification
24.2–0
257 September 2014Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus, Greece Greece1–01–0UEFA Euro 2016 Qualification

Honours

Club

Dinamo București[33]

Shakhtar Donetsk[33]

FCSB

References
  1. "15th UEFA European Championship: Booking List before Qualifying Round Matchday 10" (PDF). UEFA. 11 October 2015. p. 6. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  2. "Ciprian Marica". vfb-stuttgart.de. Archived from the original on 10 August 2009. Retrieved 24 October 2008.
  3. Stokkermans, Karel (12 December 2013). "Ciprian Marica - Goals in International Matches". The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  4. Burt, Jason (19 July 2007). "Eriksson hoping Marica can boost City's firepower". London: independent.co.uk. Retrieved 19 July 2007.
  5. "Ciprian Marica signs for VfB". www.vfb.de. 24 July 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2007.
  6. "Ciprian Marica parts company with VfB". VfB Stuttgart. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  7. "Ciprian Marica erhält Vertrag bis 2013" (in German). Official website of Schalke 04. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  8. "Marica, doi ani la Schalke 04" (in Romanian). adevarul.ro. 29 July 2011. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  9. "Blackburn eye Romania striker". mirrorfootball.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  10. "Marica vers le PSG ?" (in French). L'Équipe.fr. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  11. "Maccabi Haifa Schalke Match facts". guardian.co.uk. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  12. "Maccabi Haifa Schalke live commentary". goal.com. 14 December 2011. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  13. Wenzel, Peter (29 January 2012). "Marica: Solo-Show in Köln" (in German). bild.de. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  14. "Schalke bleibt an Bayern und Dortmund dran" (in German). focus.de. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  15. Луческу подтвердил интерес к Марике (in Russian). worldtransfer.ru. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
  16. "Ciprian Marica nuevo futbolista azulón" (in Spanish). getafecf.com. Retrieved 27 September 2013.
  17. "Ciprian es algo más que un nombre" (in Spanish). Marca.com. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  18. "Getafe secure survival". skysports.com. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
  19. "Torku Konyaspor'umuz Ciprian Marica ve Djalma Campos ile sözleşme imzaladı" (in Turkish). konyaspor.org.tr. 20 July 2014. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  20. Țenea, Mihai (16 October 2015). "Marica și-a reziliat contractul cu Konyaspor" (in Romanian). Agerpres. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  21. "Marica este al 59-lea "câine" care va juca și în tricoul rivalei Steaua! Care sunt cele mai mari "țepe" din istorie" (in Romanian). dolce-sport.ro. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  22. "VIDEO S-au plimbat! Varela şi Hamroun au adus o victorie la pas pentru FCSB, 2-0 cu Chiajna. Cum s-au împărțit notele", Gsp.ro (in Romanian), archived from the original on 21 March 2016, retrieved 16 February 2016
  23. "7 concluzii după victoria clară a Stelei la Chiajna, 2-0 » Ce impresie au lăsat Marica și Gebhart la debut", Gsp.ro (in Romanian), retrieved 16 February 2016
  24. "Italy - Romania 1-0". EU-Football. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  25. "Ciprian Marica". EU-Football. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  26. "DECRET privind conferirea Ordinului și Medaliei Meritul Sportiv" (PDF). Monitorul Oficial al României Nr. 241. 28 March 2008. p. 3. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  27. "Decorarea unor personalități ale fotbalului românesc". Administrația Prezidențială. 25 March 2008. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  28. "Ciprian Marica". RomanianSoccer. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  29. "Ciprian Marica". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 5 April 2010.
  30. "Ciprian Marica". worldfootball.net. Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2010.
  31. "Marica, Ciprian" (in German). kicker.de. Archived from the original on 7 June 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2010.
  32. "Ciprian Marica - Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  33. "C. Marica". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
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