Belgium go into Euro 2020 hoping to finally win some silverware with their golden generation. The Red Devils finished third at the 2018 World Cup, and are one of the favourites to win the tournament.
The team at Last Word on Football has put together a Belgium profile so that you can have the complete rundown ahead of the competition kicking off in June.
Everything You Need to Know About Belgium Ahead of Euro 2020
Who is the Belgium National Team Coach?
Spaniard Roberto Martinez never played an international match during his playing career. Despite this, Belgium remain confident that he can lead them to international glory this summer. He oversaw Belgium’s best ever World Cup run three years ago when they finished third in Russia.
Martinez, 47, has managed the Belgium national team since August 3, 2016.
Since then, the former Wigan Athletic and Everton boss has led Belgium in 54 matches, with a very impressive 77.8% win ratio.
Martinez spent the majority of his playing career in the lower leagues of English football. During his playing career he spent six years at Wigan, and was captain during a three year spell at Swansea City. He of course went on to manage both of these teams.
Who Has Been Selected in the Belgium Squad For Euro 2020?
Belgium enters Euro 2020 with plenty of exciting, big names in their squad. Roberto Martinez has a boastful amount of players to fill every position for his side.
There are several key players in the Belgium squad. Romelu Lukaku is likely to lead the line. He scored 24 goals as Inter Milan won Serie A this season. Eden Hazard has in his two years at Real Madrid, but the Belgium captain will hope to recapture his best form for his country.
In particular, Belgium have bags of experience in their three centre-backs; There are a combined 312 caps among Jan Vertonghen (126), Toby Alderweireld (107) and Thomas Vermaelen (79). There aren’t too many young players in the squad, although 19-year-old Jeremy Doku has made the cut.
Goalkeepers – Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Mats Selz (Strasbourg)
Defenders – Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham), Dedryck Boyata (Hertha Berlin), Jason Denayer (Lyon), Thomas Vermaelen (Vissel Kobe), Jan Vertonghen (Benfica)
Midfielders – Timothy Castagne (Leicester), Nacer Chadli (İstanbul Başakşehir), Yannick Carrasco (Atlético Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Leander Dendoncker (Wolves), Thorgan Hazard (Dortmund), Thomas Meunier (Dortmund), Dennis Praet (Leicester), Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Dortmund)
Forwards – Michy Batshuayi (Crystal Palace), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace), Jérémy Doku (Rennes), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Leandro Trossard (Brighton)
De Bruyne Injury Doubt? Hazard to Star?
Kevin De Bruyne was forced off with a facial injury in the Champions League final, leaving his involvement in this summer’s Euros in doubt. The Manchester City star revealed on his Twitter page that he suffered an acute nose bone fracture and left orbital fracture.
Although he does not require surgery, the injury has thrown De Bruyne’s availability for the Euros into serious doubt. Martinez has confirmed that he will definitely miss their opener against Russia. Martinez went to say that he could be available, but he doesn’t know when. De Bruyne will almost certainly wear a face mask if he is to feature at all.
De Bruyne’s absence could pave the way for Eden Hazard to be the Belgium star this summer. Hazard was one of the stars of the 2018 World Cup. He won the Silver Ball award, named as the second-best player of the tournament behind Luka Modric.
Hazard has of course failed to shine at Real Madrid. In addition, he hasn’t featured for Belgium since November 2019 due to injury trouble. However, he does tend to save his best for his country. In 106 matches, Hazard has 32 goals and 33 assists, and will hope to recapture his best form this summer.
Belgium Group Stage Fixtures
Belgium are the favourites to top Group B, and should at a minimum reach the knockout stages of Euro 2020.
The Red Devils will take on Russia, the 2018 World Cup hosts, Denmark, the Euro 1992 winners, and Finland, who are the second lowest FIFA ranked country featuring at the Euros.
Belgium v Russia – June 12, 8pm BST
Denmark v Belgium – June 17, 5pm BST
Finland v Belgium – June 21, 8pm BST
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