Belgium-Slovakia, the Red Devils will try to get off on the right foot against the selection coached by Italian Calzona.
Can Domenico Tedesco, a coach born in Calabria but raised (not only football-wise) in Germany, do better than his predecessor Roberto Martinez? That’s right, because Belgium, despite its much-vaunted “golden generation,” has been consistently empty-handed over the past decade. And the risk is that, before the inevitable generational replacement, the various Lukaku and De Bruyne will bid farewell to their national team without ever having lifted a trophy or won a major event.
Tedesco in Germany is banking on a group composed of both veterans and promising youngsters, some of whom have already showcased their qualities at high levels (one among them Doku, this year’s luxury reserve in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City). In the qualifying round it had to hold off a tricky Austria, but in the end Belgium finished first without any problems: with Tedesco on the bench the Red Devils are still undefeated and their last defeat was at the Qatari World Cup. De Bruyne and co. do not seem to have any rivals even in Group E of Euro 2024, where Slovakia, Ukraine and Romania, at least in theory, should not bother them. Belgium’s first opponents will be the Slovaks, coached by another Italian coach, Francesco Calzona. The former deputy of Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti at Napoli – who has “ferried” the Azzurri club in recent months despite failing to reverse the inertia of a disastrous season – has achieved a great feat, taking the Slovak selection back to the final stage of a European Championship (third qualification in a row) thanks to ambitious and courageous soccer.
Belgium-Slovakia, with Lukaku you’re on the safe side
In the qualifiers, the absolute star as far as Belgium is concerned was Lukaku, who scored 14 14 goals in 8 games played. The Roma striker, although he failed to make more of an impact in the capital, if on a day can be devastating. And spending a token on him is never a bad idea.
Against a Slovakia that will not only think about defending – with Calzona on the bench they play much more proactive soccer – there are several Red Devils players who are likely to get important chances. Certainly captain De Bruyne cannot stay out of this “list,” but neither can Trossard and Doku, who will most likely shoot at least twice toward the opponent’s goal. Who to trust, however, among the Slovaks? A token can be spent on Suslov, who did very well in the second parfte of the season with the Verona shirt in Serie A. The former Groningen man – if he starts – could turn out. As for set-pieces, former Inter player Skriniar, a great header, is to be considered. In midfield Duda and Kucka will have a lot of work to do and risk yellow, for the same reason in Belgium Onana could be cautioned.
Share comparison
De Bruyne at least two shots on goal Plus is quoted at 2.80 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and 3.15 on Snai. Onana cautioned Plus instead is quoted at 3.90 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and 4.00 on Snai.
