Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’ may have been and gone, finishing with a whimper at the 2022 World Cup, but the new-look Red Devils could one-up their predecessors in Germany this summer.
The Group Stage exit in Qatar spelt the end of Roberto Martinez’s reign and the final appearances for Eden Hazard, Toby Alderweireld, Dries Mertens, and Yannick Carrasco.
New manager Domenico Tedesco has been quietly rebuilding everyone’s favourite dark horse and is undefeated since taking over with a win against hosts Germany and a draw at Wembley against favourites England. He has built a squad of young talent, with Lois Openda, Jeremy Doku and Johan Bakayoko leading the line.
Superstars like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku back them with valuable experience. At the same time, Thibault Courtois is a surprise omission.
MANAGER: Domenico Tedesco
CAPTAIN: Kevin De Bruyne will lead the Belgians, taking the armband after former captain Eden Hazard’s retirement.
STAR PLAYER: Aside from their star captain, Romelu Lukaku continues as Belgium’s big threat up front. The striker has scored 21 goals on loan at Roma from Chelsea this season. They will be a danger if he is at his best.
HOW THEY GOT THERE: Belgium topped a tough Group F in qualification, ahead of Austria, Sweden, Azerbaijan, and Estonia. They won six and drew two of their eight games.
HOW WILL THEY DO: The draw has been kind to the Red Devils as they line up in Group E with Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine. On paper, they should navigate the group stage comfortably. However, it is tough to call how they’ll fare against the bigger boys in the knockouts.
BEST BET: Expect Tedesco’s side to make easy work of their group and finish top, giving them a favourable draw in the last 16 against one of the third-place finishers. France would potentially then lie in wait at the quarter-final stage. Belgium to exit in that round looks the most likely.
BELGIUM EURO 2024 FIXTURES & SCHEDULE
Group E
Monday, Jun 17: Belgium v Slovakia, 5pm (Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt)
Saturday, Jun 22: Belgium v Romania, 8pm (RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne)
Wednesday, Jun 26: Ukraine v Belgium, 5pm (MHPArena, Stuttgart)
BELGIUM’S EURO 2024 SQUAD
Tedesco will confirm his final Belgium squad ahead of the June 6 deadline.
- GOALKEEPERS: Koen Casteels, Thomas Kaminski, Matz Sels.
- DEFENDERS: Timothy Castagne, Maxim De Cuyper, Zeno Debast, Wout Faes, Thomas Meunier, Jan Vertonghen, Arthur Theate, Axel Witsel.
- MIDFIELDERS: Yannick Carrasco, Kevin De Bruyne, Orel Mangala, Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, Arthur Vermeeren, Aster Vranckx.
- FORWARDS: Johan Bakayoko, Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Lois Openda, Leandro Trossard.
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