Few people have even mentioned Belgium when discussing the top contenders at the Euros, but they are third in the FIFA Rankings going into the tournament and seem to have all the tools to challenge for the title. A solid Slovakia side should give them a decent test to start things off.
By Neel Shelat
Can Tedesco Guide the Red Devils to Glory?
For the last decade, there has always been talk of Belgium’s golden generation in the build up to every tournament. Having failed to qualify for any major tournament between 2002 and 2012, the Red Devils did very well to reach at least the last eight at back-to-back World Cups and Euros but ultimately could not do better than their third place finish at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Some thought the 2022 World Cup was their last chance, but the players felt they were too old. Indeed, that proved to be the case as Belgium were sent packing at the end of the group stage. That might yet prove to be a blessing in disguise in the long run, though, as Roberto Martínez’s subsequent resignation paved the way for Domenico Tedesco to take over.
The 38-year-old German head coach is yet to taste defeat with the Red Devils as he led them to an invincible Euro qualifying campaign and watched them hold their own in friendlies against teams such as Germany and England.
The likes of Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany have all long retired now, leaving just some remnants of their generation such as Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in the squad. Tedesco has selected a good balance between exciting young talent and seasoned campaigners from around Europe to fill up the rest of the spots, so Belgium look as good as anyone, on paper at least.
Can Slovakia Adapt Without Possession?
Germany 2024 will be Slovakia’s third-consecutive Euros after initially failing to qualify for five editions of the tournament post-independence. They finished third in their group on both previous occasions, so that must be the minimum target this time.
They will likely be a little more ambitious, though, as Francesco Calzona has come in and implemented a more possession-dominant style of play in a 4-3-3 formation over the last two years. That served them well in a relatively easy qualifying group in which they only finished behind Portugal, but they will have to shower greater adaptability at the Euros.
Slovakia appear to have enough quality in the defensive department – led by PSG’s Milan Škriniar – to make the necessary adjustment, but how well they can execute will determine their fate in Germany.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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