Belgium are set for an important Euro 2024 opening game against Slovakia under Domenico Tedesco’s guidance, featuring Manchester City pair Jeremy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne as well as Arsenal star Leandro Trossard.
Slovakia stunned Belgium early with their aggressive defensive play in the Belgium national football team vs Slovakia national football team lineups, and, after Koen Casteels saved Juraj Kucka’s initial attempt, Schranz scored on its rebound.
Goalkeeper Casteels
Koen Casteels will return from shoulder injury as goalkeeper for Belgium at this tournament. Pavao Pervan will serve as his backup, having come off injured against VfB Stuttgart last Saturday but now back training with their national side and expected to start.
79′: Lois Openda challenged for a corner, leading the referee to award Slovakia a free kick. Schranz sent in low for Strelec who attempted a header directly at Dubravka but missed.
Belgium features Manchester City duo Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard alongside Arsenal duo Youri Tielemans and Romelu Lukaku as they strive to overcome their Golden Generation tag, yet still finding their feet at major tournaments like Euro 2020 when they were defeated by Italy. Now facing Slovakia in their opening game – an important matchup in light of recent VAR controversy.
Defenders Castagne
Slovakia earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory against wasteful Belgium at Euro 2024 Group E in Frankfurt thanks to an early strike by Ivan Schranz. Domenico Tedesco’s side had entered as third in the world and promised an unprecedented golden generation would deliver their first major trophy, but failed to meet expectations against an unyielding Slovakia side.
Axel Witsel will start alongside Everton duo Amadou Onana and Orel Mangala as Everton’s central defence, along with Zeno Debast and Wout Faes of Zeno Debast and Wout Faes. Manchester City duos Jeremy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne play alongside Arsenal duo Leandro Trossard and Johan Bakayoko providing additional attacking width.
Roma striker Romelu Lukaku missed several important chances and two were disallowed for VAR review in the second half, one disallowed for handball against Lois Openda during build-up play. He will look to make amends against Ukraine on Friday.
Debast
Belgium will look to avenge their shock defeat against Slovakia at Euro 2024’s opening match in Frankfurt, but should take care not to underestimate Slovakia, who displayed impressive attacking prowess during the first half of Group E matchup.
De Bruyne stormed down the right flank, his low cross shot taking an important deflection and being held by Dubravka. Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne then headed wide before being blocked in what looked like an opportunity as time ran down.
Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco is expected to field an attacking lineup composed of Manchester City duo Jeremy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne from Manchester City as well as Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard, Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard from Arsenal, Juraj Kucka is due back from shoulder problems, Milan Skriniar is fit enough to contribute defensively while centre-back Denis Vavro should return in defense. Thibaut Courtois may sit out; Koen Casteels may take his place instead.
Midfielders Faes
Domenico Tedesco has managed to put together an impressive squad despite the absence of Golden Generation stars Eden Hazard and Toby Alderweireld. Manchester City duo Jeremy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne join Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard as midfielders; striker Romelu Lukaku could emerge as Belgium’s key man this tournament.
Lukaku missed three promising chances during an uninspiring first half performance for Belgium that left them still searching for an equaliser. His first shot, after Doku had made an eye-catching run, went directly at Martin Dubravka who quickly saved it with ease.
VAR overturned Lois Openda’s goal after VAR determined he used his hand to play it into goal. Shortly afterwards, Doku shot wide after collecting Faes’ long pass; with Slovakia having one final chance when Schranz attempted a flicked finish from outside the box that bounced off before rolling away for a corner – marking an unpromising start for their hosts at Euro 2016.
Carrasco
Belgium had few first-half opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, yet they occasionally looked dangerous. Lukaku saw his powerful strike disallowed for offside while De Bruyne saw his weak attempt saved by Dubravka; Lukas Haraslin also nearly scored with a powerful shot that required Casteels to save.
Manchester City duo Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne start for Belgium alongside Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard and Romelu Lukaku; Romelu Lukaku holds an all-time goal scoring record with 85 strikes; this will be key in winning this Group E clash.
Domenico Tedesco faces some defensive hurdles as Thomas Meunier and Jan Vertonghen remain injured, with Maxim De Cuyper joining Orel Mangala and Timothy Castagne as centre-back options for Belgium. Amadou Onana and Bakayoko should form part of the midfield trio, with Lukaku and De Bruyne providing an attacking threat; hopefully their return to form can help to restore their reputation after an awful 2022 World Cup campaign.
Mangala
Slovakia have made three appearances at the European Championship, yet are yet to reach the last 16. Ivan Schranz scored their opening match goal after Jeremy Doku’s poor pass into their own box was mishandled by Belgium and allowed for Ivan Schranz to score.
Belgium suffered an unexpected defeat against lower-ranked Slovakia in their Euro 2024 opening game, Ivan Schranz capitalising on a poor ball into his own box from Doku to score an uncontested goal that survived VAR review.
Domenico Tedesco suffered his inaugural defeat as Belgium coach and was met with disappointment, after coming into this tournament with high hopes after their emphatic 3-0 win against Romania in Group E’s previous match. Romelu Lukaku scored 85 times in 115 international appearances but both his chances for Belgium in the second half were disallowed due to questionable officiating decisions that went against his and his team-mates.
Attackers De Bruyne
Slovakia are looking to assert themselves on the game, with Dubravka coming out to collect a pass from Trossard who spins and attempts to play him through but is closed down, losing possession but managing to avoid bookings in doing so.
Domenico Tedesco must contend with several injuries in Belgium’s defence, but Amadou Onana and Orel Mangala will pair together centrally as defensive partners. Paris St-Germain defender Milan Skriniar captains an experienced backline while Youri Tielemans and Arthur Vermeeren await selection on the bench.
Manchester City pair Jeremy Doku and Kevin de Bruyne should start, with Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard also expected to feature. On offense, Romelu Lukaku has scored 85 goals in 115 international appearances for Belgium; after their 2022 World Cup exit at group stage. Lukaku may help Belgium get back in action and could provide their first goal at any point during this tournament.
Doku
Manchester City duo of Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard will likely make up part of Belgium’s high-attacking team that hopes to avoid their last World Cup fate. These players will join Yaya Toure from Arsenal as well as Leander Dendon as crucial members.
The Red Devils fell short in 1986 against Diego Maradona-led Argentina and since have failed to repeat that success. Now however, with several top players having returned to their team’s fold, many expect this team to challenge for major honours once again.
Slovakia’s opening goal from Ivan Schranz sent shockwaves through Belgium, leading Romelu Lukaku to think he had scored only to see VAR rule his effort offside. Since then, both teams have taken more conservative approaches, with De Bruyne dropping deeper to influence proceedings.
Lukaku
Manchester City striker Kevin de Bruyne is Belgium’s highest goal-scorer at Euro 2024 and has been involved in some successful attacks so far. Unfortunately, his mishit pass and lack of burst when carrying the ball limits his impact, while his final touches often lack precision.
Former Everton midfielder Lukaku attempts to flick a pass towards De Bruyne but it’s cleared off the line, while Lukaku wins a corner after defeating Hancko outside but his cross is blocked by Hancko and no Belgium corner is awarded as a result.
Red Devils are without injured defenders Thomas Meunier and Jan Vertonghen; Maxim De Cuyper is expected to partner Axel Witsel in central defence, with Kingsley Coman also missing for any possible competition against Liverpool FC this Sunday. As defensive cover, Domenico Tedesco has selected Johan Bakayoko and Jeremy Doku from Everton’s Amadou Onana and Orel Mangala along with Leandro Trossard of Everton before Newcastle United keeper Martin Dubravka is in goal against Slovakia.
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