Belgium will face Slovakia in their first Group E match at Euro 2024 in Frankfurt this Monday.
The Red Devils exited Euro 2020 at the hands of Italy in the quarter-finals and couldn’t advance past the group stage in the 2022 World Cup.
Belgium has never met Slovakia in a major tournament, but they have a perfect record in their three friendly matches.
This Euro Championship marks Belgium’s seventh appearance, with their best performance being runners-up in Euro 1980.
In their last two Euros, Belgium was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Wales and Italy.
Under manager Domenico Tedesco, Belgium has been unbeaten in all 14 matches.
Romelu Lukaku has been a standout player, scoring 85 goals in 115 appearances for Belgium, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s international goal tally.
Belgium will be missing Jan Vertonghen and Arthur Theate due to injury for their first match. Thomas Meunier’s availability is also uncertain.
The Red Devils are expected to play in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Romelu Lukaku leading the attack.
On the other side, Slovakia’s Denis Vavro is likely to start despite a minor thigh issue. Juraj Kucka is expected to be fit, and Robert Bozenik, with seven goals for his national team, will feature in the attack.
The squad is anchored by Paris Saint-Germain defender Milan Skriniar, set to earn his 69th cap in the upcoming game.
Possible lineups :
Belgium possible starting lineup:
Casteels, Faes, Witsel, De Cuyper, Castagne, Mangala, Onana, Doku; Trossard, De Bruyne, Lukaku
Slovakia possible starting lineup:
Dubravka, Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko, Kucka, Lobotka, Duda, Schranz, Bozenik, Haraslin
