Belgium will look for a positive start to their proceedings in Group E as they kick-start their UEFA Euro 2024 campaign against Slovakia.
Belgium might not come into this Euro 2024 campaign anywhere close to being favourites or with the tag of a golden generation of players as they get set to face Slovakia on Monday. However, Domenico Tedesco still has a strong enough squad to bank on. The Red Devils will open their competition with the game against Slovakia as they look for a positive start to the campaign.
In fact, the exit of former manager Roberto Martinez has had a positive effect on the way they play, as they have stayed unbeaten in all games since their defeat to Morocco in the World Cup in 2022. Entering Germany, Belgium are coming on the back of successive wins in their pre-tournament friendlies against Montenegro and Luxembourg.
With some pressure off their shoulders, can this be the campaign where Belgium play with the handbrake off, or will this be a repeat of previous big tournament performances? Either way, Tedesco will want a positive start, ideally with a win to kick off their Group E proceedings as they take on Slovakia.
Group E is a tougher place for all the teams here than it may appear on paper. Belgium might come into this one as the favourites to finish first; there is an underrated battle likely to transpire for the second spot, with Slovakia right to think they have a chance here to progress into the knockout phase.
The highly experienced Francesco Calzona hopes his side can show their mettle, especially in the opening game of the group, and get something against Belgium. Slovakia have never been past a Last 16 spot at the European Championships, last achieving the feat back in 2016.
Hence, there is the curiosity of achieving the unknown for the Slovakians, as Calzona, fresh from his brief stint as Napoli manager, will look to bring new ideas to this team. Either way, this clash against Belgium does represent a key factor in how Group E transpires.
Team News & Tactics
Belgium
Domenico Tedesco will have his full squad available for selection, and he might go with the strongest lineup that he prefers for the Euros against Slovakia. There may be a few alterations along the way, but the manager will persist with the midfield pairing of Orel Mangala and Amadou Onana during the tournament.
There are some defensive issues at the back, as Arthur Theate and Jan Vertonghen are doubts about this clash against Slovakia. Tedesco is unlikely to risk the duo for the opening clash, meaning Axel Witsel and Maxim De Cuyper are likely to join Wout Faes in that back three for the Belgians.
With Thibaut Courtois out of the picture, it does give Koen Casteels the big opportunity to shine for the Red Devils at a major tournament. Timothy Castagne and Jeremy Doku are likely to operate in specific wing-back roles.
However, the latter is expected to play very close to the attacking zones rather than the defensive ones. Romelu Lukaku is pencilled in to lead the line for his national side, with Kevin De Bruyne and Leandro Trossard playing slightly off the striker in this formation.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Casteels; Faes, Witsel, De Cuyper; Castagne, Mangala, Onana, Doku; Trossard, De Briune; Lukaku
Slovakia
In the build-up to the game against Belgium, Slovakia did have some injury worries with two key players. Denis Vavro has a minor thigh problem, and despite that, he is expected to start. Similarly, Juraj Kucka should also feature from the start despite some recent fitness troubles.
Overall, Francesco Calzona will have a strong set of players to choose from and is likely to name his strongest lineup despite those facing some slight fitness concerns. There will also be key star Milan Skriniar coming at the back of a difficult season fitness-wise, and he will start his 69th game for the national side. Ondrej Duda is also in line for a start and wears the captain’s armband for Slovakia at the Euros.
Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka will be another key player for Slovakia and will play on the right side of the midfield three. Kucka will sit at the base, with Duda maintaining his potion on the right side of the midfield. Meanwhile, Robert Borzenik will lead the line for Slovakia, with Lukas Haraslin and Tomas Suslov providing support from either wing.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko; Lobotka, Kucka, Duda; Hareslin, Bozenik, Suslov
Key Stats
- Belgium have not lost an international game since their defeat against Morocco in the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
- Belgium were defeated in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
- Slovakia have never made it past the Round of 16 in any European Championship in history.
- Slovakia have lost one of their last seven games in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Kevin De Bruyne
Many argue that the time is right for a player like De Bruyne to bring his imperious club form to his national team, and they are right in a way. Belgium has carried rags of being one of the favourites in many big tournaments prior to Euro 2024 and has failed miserably.
However, the time might be right for someone like De Bruyne to showcase his form and consistency in a Belgian shirt and finally make some statement performances in Germany. The team will rely on his leadership and quality to produce some memorable moments, and he would want a good start to proceedings with a win over Slovakia.
Prediction
Belgium 2-1 Slovakia
Slovakia might see a chance to progress from this group, and even if they get a draw against Belgium, it will be a huge result in the context of their group campaign. While they might also have one of the weakest of sides, many of their players do possess solid European experience.
Hence, there is an expectation that Slovakia might make it a bit difficult for Belgium not to have a breezing performance, but the Red Devils will still triumph. Belgium have the supreme quality in all departments, although their defensive ranks might show some weakness in this opening encounter. Overall, Tedesco’s men are expected to take three points, although they may not put in a smashing performance.