The Romanian Under-21 international became one of the most expensive signings in Estrela's history, but he's not bound by that label. In an interview with Flashscore, the winger spoke about his adaptation to Portuguese football and the differences he has found in Liga Portugal, a competition where he already has a favourite player.
Flashscore: You recently did a training camp in Spain. How did it go?
Stoica: "It was a good few days, it helped us prepare for the game against Sporting. We were in Spain, we played well, we gained confidence, and we're continuing the process until the next game."
You scored against Valladolid...
"Yes, I needed to score to gain confidence, to gain the confidence of the coach and my teammates. I was very happy to score and because we won a trophy. It's a friendly trophy, but it's important for us because it gives us the feeling that we're on the right track.
How has it been adapting to the country and the experience at Estrela da Amadora?
"The first three weeks were tough for me because I needed to get to grips with a lot of things, the way things work, but now I can say that the people here are very good, the football is top class, and I feel at home. I don't feel any different when I go home or when I'm here. It's the same for me."
What surprised you the most? Who helped you adapt the most?
"Everyone. This is a special group. Everyone helps everyone. From the first moment, I felt support, not just because I scored or because of the results, but because of this strong group. I want to thank them for that.
"People here put a lot of heart into the club"
Estrela is a club with a very strong identity, loyal fans and a stadium that often makes life difficult for opponents. What's it been like dealing with that level of demand and the passion of the fans?
"When we lose, the fans feel it a lot, but they continue to support us. People here put a lot of heart into the club. I like that a lot. At home games, they're like an extra player on the pitch. It's a great motivation for me to win because I can make them happy."
The start of the season wasn't easy. There's already been a change of coach and the team was knocked out of the Portuguese Cup, but the last few games have shown positive signs. How can the team turn that into results?
"We're on the right track with the new coach (João Nuno). Everyone is giving 100% to help the team. We're trying to solve all the problems with him and get to our best level as quickly as possible."
You came on from the bench and scored the goal that secured the team's first points in the league on your debut (against Estoril). How did that game make you feel?
"I had a lot of emotions because everything was new: the stadium, the football, the first game. When I came on, I just tried to do my best. I concentrated on playing well, and the goal gave me confidence. Starting like that was very good for me and, whether from the bench or in the starting eleven, I hope to continue helping the team."
"I had an offer from Turkey, but Estrela came along"
You've started a few games, but you've been used more often as a substitute. What do you think you need to do to win a place in the starting eleven?
"The coach knows what's best for me. I come from a different football background, so maybe I need time to adapt and learn how things work here. He's very good with me, he helps me a lot, and whenever he puts me in, I try to do my best."
It's still early days, but what are your impressions of Portuguese football, the league, the clubs, the players and Portugal in general?
"It's very good football, very physical. I thought it would be more like Spanish football, but when I arrived, I realised that it's different, in a good way. The players have a lot of quality, and every game is difficult, whether it's against the last team or the best teams in the league."
Before you came, did you know anything about the league or Estrela da Amadora? How did the move come about?
"I had to choose between going to Turkey, because I had an offer, or coming here. But when Estrela came up, my mind was made up. I chose Estrela because it's a beautiful club, with a lot of history, and it's a great pleasure to be here."
Did you speak to anyone who knew Estrela before accepting the offer?
"No. I looked for information on the internet, and everything I found was positive and showed that the club was of a good standard."
You were one of the most expensive signings in the club's history. How did you cope with that responsibility, and how do you see your role in the team?
"It's a big responsibility. I try to do my best and make people happy. At my last club, I was also the most expensive transfer, so I already know how to deal with that pressure. I trust the coach's decisions, and I do my best, whether I play a minute or the whole game."
And you don't feel that pressure?
"No, I don't."
"My favourite player is Zalazar"
Within the squad, were there any players who surprised you the most when you arrived, in terms of their quality?
"Not just one. We have a lot of quality players. I try to observe what others do well in order to emulate and learn so that we can work better as a team."
Names like Sidny Cabral, for example, who is having an incredible season?
"Yes, he's a very good player, but we also have Renan, Jovan, Schappo, Kikas... lots of good players. It's not just one."
And in the Portuguese league, were there any opponents who impressed you the most?
"There are a lot of good players, but my favourite is Zalazar, from SC Braga."
"I didn't want to make my debut and stop developing"
Talking about your early years in Romania: you made your professional debut at the age of 15 and even scored on your debut. How do you remember those first few months and the fact that you started so early?
"Starting so young brings pressure, because many players make their debut at 16 or 17 and then disappear. I tried to take everything step by step, to take the right steps, to get to a good level. I didn't want to make my debut and stop developing; I needed to work harder. With that mentality, I arrived at Estrela."
You changed clubs several times in Romania and were always seen as one of the greatest talents of your generation. How have these constant changes affected your career?
"My first club loaned me out, which is normal for youngsters who need to play. The loans helped me gain experience, because it's difficult to go straight from the B team to a top club. You have to take steps, like the Second Division, smaller clubs in the First Division. The loans helped me."
So you feel those steps were the right ones?
"Yes. Some of them didn't go well, but you learn from your mistakes. Nobody always gets it right."
Do you feel there's a lot of pressure on young players in Romania?
"We have a lot of good youngsters now. I think the national team will soon be very strong. As a country, we need good results in Europe, because without that, it's difficult to attract big league clubs to look at Romanian players."
Having played in both countries, what is the biggest difference between Romanian and Portuguese football? What are you learning here?
"There are lots of little details, but what I like most is the focus on the group. Here, you work more on the team than the individual."
And on the pitch, don't you think things are different compared to Romanian football?
"Yes, especially tactically, but I can't talk too much about that because it's confidential (laughs). But here we work a lot on tactics. The league is more tactical and also more physical."
Your former team, Hermannstadt, has been struggling this year after a good season. Have you been following the results? Do you think they'll bounce back?
"I don't follow much, to be honest, because at the weekend I focus on watching games from here to learn more about the league and the opposition. But I think Hermannstadt will stay in the top flight without any problems. Last season, we were in the same situation, and after the first win, we ended up climbing the table and even went to the cup final. So I think they'll be able to stay up without any problems."
You've said that you watch Portuguese football at the weekend. Are there any teams you particularly like to follow?
"No. I watch the league to study opponents, especially the wingers, to understand how they play, what qualities they have, to take notes and analyse the opponent I'm going to face."
"I don't want people to say 'Ianis is the best'"
You've already made 10 international appearances for Romania's Under-21s, but you've yet to be called up to the senior squad. Is that something that motivates you or makes you impatient?
"I'm focused on my process here at Estrela. Step by step, good things will come. My goal is to do a good job here and, if I'm called up, I'll be happy."
Romania will play Turkey in the play-off for the World Cup. How do you see the team's chances?
"I think we have a good chance because we've had good results. I hope we win and reach the final stage of the World Cup."
Romania were a pleasant surprise at the European Championships a few years ago...
"Yes, and that's another reason to believe we can get to the World Cup."
Your father (Pompiliu Stoica was also a player and made the national team. What role did he play in your career, and how did he influence you on and off the pitch? Has he been with you in Portugal?
"No, not yet, but he's coming soon. He works in Romania and has a football school. He doesn't give me tactical advice, he supports me with confidence and positive words. He never tells me 'do it like this' or 'shoot over there'. He supports me like a father. In Romania, he said more, but here he trusts my process. Now he gives more personal advice, he tells me to stay focused, respect everyone and do some extra training sometimes, but nothing tactical."
Finally, what are your main goals, personally and with Estrela? And what would you like people in Portugal to say about you at the end of the season?
"I want to help the team. I'm not too focused on myself at the moment. At the end, I want people to say that I'm a good player and that I've helped the team, I don't want them to say 'Ianis is the best' or something like that."
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