EURO 2024 Team Guide - Group E - Belgium
Belgium's first tournament after the majority of their 'Golden Generation' hung up their boots, a sense of optimism remains, but just how far will they be able to get? Scott Coyne reveals all...
Country:
Belgium
FIFA World Ranking:
No 3
Qualification Record:
1st Place
W6, D2, L0
Goals For – 22
Goals Against - 4
Group:
Euros Group E
Highest Ever Euros Finish:
Reached The Final in 1980 (losing 2-1 to West Germany) in Rome.
Previous Euros Appearances:
7 (including Euro 2024)
Top International Goal Scorer (in Squad):
Romelu Lukaku (83)
Squad:
Confirmed Squad:
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Al Qadsiah) Thomas Kasminski (Luton Town) Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)
Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham) Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge) Zeno Debast (Anderlecht) Wout Faes (Leicester City) Thomas Meunier (Trabzonspor) Arthur Theate (Rennes) Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht)
Midfielders: Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid) Aster Vranckx (Wolfsburg) Arthur Vermeeren (Atletico Madrid) Leandro Trossard (Arsenal) Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa) Amadou Onana (Everton) Orel Mangala (Lyon) Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla) Jeremy Doku (Manchester City) Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta) Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab) Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven)
Forwards: Romelu Lukaku (Roma) Lois Openda (RB Leipzig)
The Gaffer:
Domenico Tedesco (Appointed: February 2023)
Gaffer Bio:
39 year old Italian Domenico Tedesco has dual nationality (Italian-German).Beginning his senior coaching career at Schalke before moving to Spartak Moscow for a short period. After leaving Spartak, he moved to RB Leipzig where he won the DFB Pokal in 2022. In February 2023 he was appointed T1 of the Belgian national team after impressing a panel of Belgian football glitterati with his knowledge of the conveyer belt of belgian talent.
Who Could Do with Him?
A young and dynamic coach, Tedesco is well respected and admired by many across the football spectrum, He has been courted recently by big clubs, such as AC Milan who met with his representatives to discuss career paths, so elite clubs are very much aware of the young coach whose stock is rising, these euros has the opportunity to raise it further. He signed a 2yr contract extension recently which takes him to the 2026 World cup.
Formation / Style of Play:
4-3-3 / 4-3-2-1
Tedesco prioritises a tactical approach which has an attacking emphasis, but one which requires real structure and balance in order to be able to control and dominate transitions in play. It is this methodology that he has applied to his young belgian squad. Finding the right balance is critical to progress and player development. The early indications have been positive.
Strengths:
The attacking firepower and creativity available to Tedesco across the middle and up top has great potential and the side have become more pragmatic tactically in a number of ways. Players have to take responsibility for dominating transitions which has taking some adaptation and is a work in progress.
Weaknesses:
Although the defensive line has been refreshed and is arguably more flexible, some question marks still remain about how well equipped it is to seriously compete at a major knock our tournament. Tedesco added Axel Witsel to the final squad, which was a slight surprise to recall the 35 year old who has had a strong season for Atletico Madrid. The Midfielder is also a highly competent defender and he provides an extra option defensively with question marks surrounding the fitness of Jan Vertonghen. Tactically it gives Tedesco further options.
Player to Watch:
Jeremy Doku
Doku is a player who excites many and has had a strong season for Manchester City. he is arguably due a strong major tournament showing and many will be watching to see if he produce his top game on the big stage when it matters for the national team. He is significant chance creator in terms of both assists and shots, and will be one of the key links between a dynamic midfield and a world class striker in Romelu Lukaku.
One for the Future:
Johan Bakayoko
Bakayoko has had an excellent season for PSV Eindhoven, helping them to win the Eredivisie. all of the signs are that this is an exciting young player developing strongly at a good rate. relatively knew to the national team, he has 10 caps, but has caught the eye. there is a real sense that he fits Tedesco philosophy perfectly as he has pace, power and creativity and is noticeable strong in transitionary play which is critical to performing well in Tedesco’s system. Bakayoko’s first major international tournament comes at a perfect point in his career and there is an opportunity to create a serious lasting impression.
Unlucky to Miss Out:
There are a number of players who will be frustrated to miss out including Genoa Defender Koni De Winter who has made a major impression recently and was hopeful of making the squad, he does however have a bright future with the national team. Also missing out, due to longterm injury is Burnley Defender Ameen Al Dakhil who Domenico Tedesco specifically referenced as being disappointed that he would be unavailable, as he has been seriously impressed him in a short space of time, another player with a bright future. Fenerbahce Striker Michy Batshuayi also misses out despite over 50 caps for his country and a good goal return of 27.
Likely Line Up:
Casteels; Theate; Vertonghen; Debast; Castagne; De Bruyne; Tielemans; Mangala; Doku; Trossard; Lukaku
Fixtures:
Matchday 1 – Belgium v Slovakia – 17th June
Matchday 2 – Belgium v Romania – 22nd June
Matchday 3 – Ukraine v Belgium – 26th June
Verdict:
Over the past year the side has transitioned under a new coach successfully, introducing a fresh conveyer belt of new talent with a mixture of real experience. confidence is high after an undefeated qualifying campaign which saw Belgium finish at top scorers and the tightest defence. There is a renewed sense of positivity around the side after the perceived disappointments of the so called ‘Golden Generation.’ This tournament will tell us much about exactly where this side is at and it’s true potential for further growth and impact. Belgium has received a favourable group draw and will be expected to win the group and progress to the round of sixteen, which is a minimum requirement for success, but there is a sense that this side could could further.
Scott Coyne (@scott_coyne) (@BelgianPodcast)