Slovakia were worthy winners in an exciting Group E opener against Belgium, in which Romelu Lukaku missed numerous presentable chances and two goals were controversially ruled offside by VAR.
Domenico Tedesco will likely select an impressive starting XI against Arsenal featuring Manchester City duo Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne along with Leandro Trossard from Arsenal. Thibaut Courtois may miss out due to injuries; while Koen Casteels will maintain their goalkeeper spot.
In this article, we will discuss the main points or high lights of Belgium National Football Team vs Slovakia National Football Team Lineups.
Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku is widely recognized as one of the world’s premier strikers, yet his performance against Slovakia showed otherwise. At Manchester United, Lukaku saw two goals disallowed for video review while also missing several opportunities that presented themselves to him.
Domenico Tedesco’s side appeared disinterested and flat for much of the match, with Lukaku often wasteful, Kevin de Bruyne off-color and Leandro Trossard struggling. Yet they managed to create four “big chances,” their highest total since 1980 in Euros group games.
Belgium began their second half with two substitutions; Lukebakio and Carrasco for Doku and Ivan Schranz respectively. De Bruyne launched an initial cross/shot that was blocked just outside the box before Doku appeared to win a corner but was disallowed after being flagged offside; Slovakia then took advantage by winning another corner before halftime ended – marking an unfortunate start for Belgium; their next matchup will come against Romania on Saturday if they want to progress from this difficult group alongside Germany.
Wout Faes
Napoli midfielder Alessandro Napoli won the Serie A title last season, and now under Domenico Tedesco he is making an impressive contribution to Belgium national team under him. In early stages of Euro 2024 campaign he helped guide his Red Devils team to victories against Montenegro and Luxembourg respectively.
Belgium suffered an unexpected defeat against lower-ranked Slovakia in Group E’s opening match, who scored first through Ivan Schranz to pull off one of the greatest upsets of this summer’s tournament and shock away their confidence – which they were expected to achieve through competing for top two finish.
Belgium are without Toby Alderweireld and Thibaut Courtois has not been included, with Koen Casteels starting instead. Manchester City duo Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne should both feature along with Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard; veteran midfielder Juraj Kucka may join Trossard in central defense as Juraj Kucka could join Trossard on central defence duties for Slovakia partnered by Milan Skrbic in defense. Denis Vavro is also fit and will join Milan Skrbic on defence for Slovakia alongside Milan Skrbic on defence duties alongside Milan Skrbic for Slovakia defence duties partnered by Milan Skrbic who will partner Milan Skrbic in central defence duties for Slovakia alongside Milan Skrbic from Manchester City in defence alongside Milan Skrbic who plays alongside Milan Skrbic from Manchester City will partner Milan Skrbic in Slovakia defence alongside Denis Vavro from Manchester City will join Milan Skrbic while Denis Vavro will partner Milan Skrbic as well.
Zeno Debast
Zeno Debast, 20, is an outstanding defender who can also step into midfield. He boasts high passing accuracy and impressive composure on the ball for someone his age. Debast reads the game extremely well, enabling him to intercept passes that could pose danger and protect his team mates from danger.
Debast has proven his worth to Belgium this season with their defensive injuries, and they will hope that he can help them prevent an upset against Slovakia on Monday.
Ivan Schranz opened the scoring for Slovakia against Belgium with an elegant finish following an error by Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku and it proved a surprise result for their Group E favourites; who currently sit at 3rd in world rankings while Slovakia have 48th.
Domenico Tedesco made changes at half-time, substituting Johan Bakayoko for Orel Mangala and Youri Tielemans for Leandro Trossard who has been an integral member of Belgium since their qualification campaign and an expert pass passer who can cover vast distances while dispensing with pinpoint passes.
Amadou Onana
France and Belgium meet on Monday evening in Brussels in an intense battle to decide who advances to the Nations League quarter-finals. Both teams remain unbeaten in Group 2, so victory for either side may decide who advances further.
Antoine Griezmann and Marcus Thuram have returned to France’s squad, likely playing behind Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele. Domenico Tedesco will have to make some changes, with Youri Tielemans and Lois Openda taking a lower priority so as to give more youthful players an opportunity.
Koen Casteels will remain between the sticks despite Matz Sels’ withdrawal due to injury. Tedesco will stick with the same back three that started against Italy; Romalu Lukaku remains out due to injury while Kevin De Bruyne continues his comeback from pelvic injury recovery; Aston Villa’s Orel Mangala could partner up in central midfield alongside Oreels Mangala from Everton.
Orel Mangala
Mangala is an aggressive runner who can contribute at both ends of the field and often jumps into tackles. He enjoys carrying forward the ball to create chances and put pressure on defenders – qualities which should prove beneficial at Everton – his fifth club overall and first English club.
He is a good choice at right-back, where his mobility allows him to pair well with Jonathan Kouyate and cover ground quickly. But he may require additional playing time before becoming an automatic starter.
Mangala could provide an option in central midfield alongside Amadou Onana; they have ample experience playing together and form an excellent pairing; however, due to an injury Amadou may be less likely to play against Romania.
Youri Tielemans, Johan Bakayoko and Leandro Trossard are among the many options in Belgium’s engine room. However, it should be remembered that its squads tend to feature heavily expatriate players due to early exposure in top leagues being an essential element of its national development program. Zeno Debast of Anderlecht and Jan Vertonghen of Jan Vertonghen of Anderlecht are full-time Belgian players.
Jeremy Doku
Jeremy Doku may not fit the mold of an ideal right-winger, but he still makes plays. Combining speed and dribbling with dropping deep to influence Belgium’s build-up play from out wide. At Anderlecht his coach worked to position him so as to fully exploit his strengths (such as going one on one against opposing fullbacks and shooting with his right foot), as well as improve upon his technical level, decision-making, and heading ability.
Belgium will rely heavily on 31-year-old Belgium all-time goalscorer with 85 international strikes to propel them through to Euro 2024 success. He can be counted upon to be an effective force during knockout rounds at the tournament.
Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard and Everton’s Amadou Onana should partner Doku in midfield. Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne should lead Belgium’s attack, while Romelu Lukaku provides Belgium with balance through his central presence. Zeno Debast and Wout Faes may provide vital coverage as defenders. For those unable to watch live streaming options are available such as FuboTV.
Kevin De Bruyne
Belgium are eager to put behind them memories of an unsuccessful 2022 World Cup campaign, led by Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne who will look to get this Euros off to an impressive start under manager Domenico Tedesco. Finishing second in their qualifying group, Belgium are an imposing force going into this match-up.
Manchester City duo Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard will start alongside Everton striker Amadou Onana; Arsenal midfielder Youri Tielemans as well as former Liverpool and Chelsea forward Arthur Vermeeren are on the bench.
Milan Skriniar of Paris Saint-Germain captains an experienced Slovakia side, alongside teammates Juraj Kucka and 13-goal centre-back Ondrej Duda – with Newcastle United goalkeeper Martin Dubravka also named.
Leandro Trossard
Arsenal are expected to field a similar lineup against Brighton & Hove Albion, with Leandro Trossard potentially returning. After coming off the bench and scoring with his first touch against Newcastle United on February 7, Mikel Arteta may reward Trossard by including him in his starting XI for this matchup.
Trossard will likely partner up with Jan Vertonghen, who recently returned to the lineup following illness-induced absence during Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Manchester City. They will likely be supported by Zeno Debast and Maxim De Cuyper at full back respectively while Youri Tielemans and Orel Mangala form part of the defensive unit.
Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne will not feature, opting instead to manage his fitness levels. Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta had been suggested as his long-term successor at No. 10, though Sports Mole believes Domenico Tedesco might prefer Lois Openda instead as both players have enjoyed impressive early season form for their respective clubs; particularly Arsenal where Openda has excelled early season.
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