Football News: Belgium Seek Redemption After Euro 2024 Setback
Belgium, a side known for their past tournament disappointments, now face an early challenge in their quest for Euro 2024 glory. The Red Devils suffered a shock defeat against Slovakia in their opening group stage match, a result that has left them in an unfamiliar position.
The match, played in Frankfurt, saw Slovakia strike early with a clever piece of opportunism, and they managed to hold on for the remainder of the game as Belgium dominated possession, created chances, but ultimately failed to capitalize. The subsequent defeat of Slovakia by Ukraine on Friday means that a win for Belgium against Romania in Cologne on Saturday could see Group E all square.
Veteran defender Jan Vertonghen acknowledged the team’s disappointment, stating, “I did not expect that, we deserved to win.” However, the former Tottenham player, who at 37 is a respected leader both on and off the field, remains confident in his team’s prospects, saying, “We can conclude that we didn’t take our chances, did not give much away, and that we still have two matches to go.“
The Red Devils experienced a number of issues in the Slovakia game, both collectively and individually. The selection of winger Yannick Carrasco at left-back was a tactical gamble that did not wholly fail but also did not entirely succeed. More concerning was the team’s inability to connect the play in midfield, with the deep-lying positioning of Orel Mangala and Amadou Onana failing to create the space needed for Kevin De Bruyne to work his creative magic.
The biggest individual disappointment, however, was the performance of Romelu Lukaku, Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer. The striker, who is wearing the No. 10 shirt in this tournament, missed several clear-cut chances and was penalized by VAR for two disallowed goals. Vertonghen, however, backed his teammate, saying, “Romelu loves those moments where the focus is on him and the pressure is on him, and it will be on him on Saturday. I’m sure he will find the way to the goal.“
Belgium, having gone 14 matches unbeaten under coach Domenico Tedesco before this tournament, remain confident in their ability to rediscover their form. But Vertonghen acknowledges the added pressure that comes with being part of a “golden generation” of players, with a new era of talent now having to deal with the high expectations of the nation.
As Belgium prepare to face Romania, they know that a positive result is crucial to get their Euro 2024 campaign back on track. The team’s resilience and ability to respond to adversity will be put to the test, as they seek to overcome their early setback and make a statement in the tournament.
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