As much as it may seem otherwise, the confrontation between Belgium and Romania corresponding to the second day of the group stage of Euro 2024, there will be a qualifying situation that is at least strange for both teams. Belgium hit it against Slovakiawhich achieved its third victory in the history of the Euro Cup, in a match marked by the two goals disallowed for the team of Tedescoand for all the failed occasions by the Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku. A few hours earlier, in Munich, Romania left us the biggest surprise in the Euro Cup so far, with a 3-0 win over Ukraine, which was set to be one of the revelations of the tournament. A Romanian team that had not won a match in the final phase of a tournament since 2000, and that enters this duel as leader of Group E.
Romania and an endless dream
After not achieving a single victory in 2016 or 2008, and not qualifying in 2012 and 2004, the Romanian team adds its first three points twenty-four years later. The failures of the Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, and the verticality of the Romanians in the counterattacks, closed a win that was celebrated by all the “nosferatu” fans in the stands of the Allianz Arena. The rides of Dennis Man from the right wing they sentenced the Ukrainians who barely reached the goal of Nita.
A competitive ceiling that is raised by all the energy they have in the center of the field, which allows them to run after the ball when they don’t have it, and go on the counterattack when they recover it. Without a doubt, it has been one of the teams that left the best taste in the mouth on the first day. Their last match in this group stage will be against Slovakia in Frankfurt.
The last notice from Belgium to Tedesco
After falling miserably in the 2022 World Cup, the Belgian team changed course and ended a six-year cycle, where Roberto Martinez He had been the selector to bet on Domenico Tedesco, a young Italian-German coach, with experience in German and Russian football. The change in scheme, going from playing with three centre-backs for many years, to a 4-2-3-1 more classic, does not seem to have gone down well with Belgium. He defense level is much lower than usual, with a center back from the English second division, another from the Belgian league, the conversion of Carrasco to left-back, and the indifference of Castagne on the right, is a good reflection of the moment the team is going through. Belgian team
He double pivot that Tedesco proposed, composed of Mangala and Onanadid not finish contributing with the ball, and despite the fact that, in the second half, it was Kevin De Bruyne who delayed his position, and Belgium improved, it was not enough to achieve the equalizing goal. Doku started well, but a mistake on his part led to Slovakia’s goal, and Trossardneither on the wing nor behind the striker ended up being decisive.
On the last day of the group stage, awaits Ukrainewho disappointed in their debut against Romania, falling 3-0.
