Sweden-Belgium is a match from the first day of Euro 2024 qualifying Group F and is played on Friday at 20:45: TV, predictions.
Sweden watched the World Cup on television, while also suffering a not inconsiderable humiliation in the Nations League, with relegation to League C.
Belgium, on the other hand, were there in Qatar last December but quite unexpectedly did not even get past the group stage, finishing third behind Croatia and Morocco. A thunderous failure that metaphorically laid the tombstone on what everyone has always called the golden generation. And which convinced the federation to make a drastic change. Out with the disappointing Roberto Martinez, in with the brilliant coach of Calabrian origin Domenico Tedesco, at his first experience at the helm of a national team. The former Schalke 04 and Leipzig coach will have the not easy task of opening a new cycle, favouring the transition between the veterans (Lukaku, De Bruyne) and the younger ones. With him, the various Onana, Trossard and Faes will certainly have more space, including the Milan player De Ketelaere, who has not yet managed to break through in the Rossoneri shirt. The qualification for Euro 2024, in any case, should be a formality: the first two of each group go through and it is unthinkable that Belgium could finish behind Austria and Sweden, considering that Azerbaijan and Estonia do not have the ambition to go to Germany.
Lukaku v Ibrahimovic
In the debut match, Tedesco is banking heavily on the desire for redemption of Lukaku, one of the negative protagonists of the Qatari adventure. Belgium disappointed mainly on the offensive side of the pitch, with the Inter striker gobbling up three clear-cut goals in the home-and-away match against Croatia.
Ibrahimovic
In Sweden, he reunited with his ‘enemy’ Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with whom he had a heated altercation in a Coppa Italia derby two seasons ago. At the venerable age of 41, in fact, Swedish coach Jan Andersson – confirmed despite the uninspiring results – has decided to call up the Milan player, who has just recovered from a long injury. Ibra, also thanks to his charisma, will try to lead Sweden to the German European Championship, which could be his last chance to take part in a major international event. After a disastrous Nations League, the Scandinavians have only managed victories in friendlies, beating Mexico, Algeria, Finland and Iceland.
The Prediction
Belgium are eager to make a strong start after the World Cup disappointment, ushering in the new course with a victory. Sweden, however, may prove to be a bad customer, especially at home: the Scandinavians are also looking for redemption and it will not be easy to penetrate their defence, which makes organisation one of its main characteristics. A draw cannot be ruled out in a match in which both sides should score.
Sweden v Belgium line-ups
- SWEDEN (4-4-2): Olsen; Holm, Ekdal, Lindelof, Augustinsson; Claesson, Olsson, Karlstrom, Forsberg; Kulusevski, Ibrahimovic.
- BELGIUM (4-3-3): Courtois; Meunier, Vertonghen, Faes, Castagne; Onana, De Bruyne, Lavia; Trossard, Lukaku, Carrasco.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
