Belgium kick off their Euro 2024 campaign today against Slovakia. The Roberto Martinez era is over. His successor, Dominic Tedesco, is unbeaten across 14 matches.
The question of the recent Golden Generation never delivering was swiped away somewhat by the Belgian Football Podcast’s Scott Coyne on our euro 2024 preview.
Turns out the Belgian population is more humble in their expectations than compared to us, fervent England fans!
Romelu Lukaku seems to have been around tournament football since the birth of Father Time. He did sign for Everton around the time of the 2014 World Cup – some 10 years ago!
He has since fallen off a cliff at United and then resuscitated life into a stuttering career in Italy, with Inter Milan and AS Roma.
He may well eat good against Slovakia. But don’t dismiss Jeremy Doku or Leandro Trossard gobbling up a goal or two. Both have been on the fringes of England’s top two sides – and would be star men in many a top side, the world over.
But the defence doesn’t really catch the eye. Jan Vertonghen – why is he still around? Kaminski relegated with Luton – get in the squad! It strikes me that they lack depth and cover in those areas. Then again, so does England!
As for Slovakia, their manager took a big opportunity to combine roles with Napoli.. except he floundered badly there and comes back to the full-time duties for the Euros, with his ego dented. Far from ideal!
Especially when you consider the level of delegation required to take on one of Europe’s iconic sides, mid-season no less, while also plotting a strategy to face a superior nation (on paper) in Belgium.
Prediction: Belgium 5 Slovakia 2
Lukaku bags a hat-trick. Belgium concede a couple of meaningless goals. High tempo game. A delightful watch for the neutrals.
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