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Belgium topped their qualifying group but what can they produce at Euro 2024?

Belgium topped their qualifying group but what can they produce at Euro 2024?

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The Belgium national team were at rock bottom following the 2022 World Cup. They had crashed out of the competition at the group stage, marking another major tournament in which the nation’s latest ‘golden generation’ had failed to live up to expectations. An inquest ensued, with manager Roberto Martínez departing his role, alongside a host of high-profile retirements throughout the squad.

By Luke Bissett

38-year-old Domenico Tedesco, an Italian-German coach, arrived at the helm last February and has quickly revitalised the Red Devils. They are unbeaten in their 13 games under the new manager and topped their Euro 2024 qualification group ahead of Austria and Sweden. Tedesco has been a breath of fresh air, integrating an exciting crop of young players into the set up.

The 38-year-old’s reign started in tremendous fashion: earning a 3-0 away win against Sweden in Euro qualifying before a 3-2 friendly victory over neighbours Germany in his first two matches. It was the Red Devils’ first away success in Germany since 1910. The victory over this summer’s tournament hosts remains Tedesco’s most notable triumph in charge of Belgium, thus far, with the nation going quietly under-the-radar ahead of the upcoming European Championships.  

They comfortably breezed through qualification by topping their group, recording six wins and two draws in their eight games. It is the sixth consecutive major tournament that Belgium have secured qualification as group winners. Though their frightening record in recent qualifying campaigns has never been up for debate – The Red Devils are now unbeaten in their last 40 qualification games (World Cups and Euros), a record that dates back to a 1-0 defeat to Wales in June 2015.  

Tedesco has implemented a notable change in playing style compared to the previous regime,  shifting to a back four rather than the three-man defence that his predecessor Martínez deployed. As a result, the Red Devils have become a much more proactive side. Tedesco was part of a new generation of coaches in Germany, alongside Die Mannschaft boss Julian Nagelsmann, who are driven by data and innovative tactical ideas. And that has certainly rung true so far during the 38-year-old’s spell. He has proven to be tactically flexible, with his side morphing into numerous formations throughout a single game.  

The Belgium boss nominally uses a 4-3-3 set-up, with his charges geared towards high-pressure  attacking football. They have scored 30 goals across their 13 games under Tedesco, netting three or more on an impressive six separate occasions. The Red Devils are ruthless in transition, with their dynamic forward line capable of inflicting damage upon any opposition. They recorded 21 direct attacks in qualifying for the Euros – the most of any nation.  

Belgium still boast one of the most potent attacking lines on the continent with the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne in their ranks. Lukaku comfortably finished Euro 2024 qualifying as the competition’s top scorer with 14 goals, averaging a goal every 39 minutes. The striker – who is still on the books at Chelsea – is also just two goals away from becoming the third top scorer at European Championships finals.  

The Red Devils were prolific in qualifying, recording the fourth highest shot conversion rate (18%). They also outperformed their xG by 9.24 – the biggest overperformance of any nation in the qualification campaign, showcasing just how dangerous they can be. Manchester City midfielder De Bruyne will be integral to Belgium’s performances across the tournament, and his ominous club form at the back end the season will undeniably encourage his manager. 

Tedesco has transformed his side into a relentless pressing unit. 24% of their high turnovers ending in shots during qualification (14/58), which is the highest of any nation that have reached the tournament. Despite the Red Devils’ success out of possession, the 38-year-old still  demands that his side exerts control upon games. Belgium’s opponents made 2455 passes in qualifying, with only Spain allowing their opponents to have fewer (2154). 

Belgium’s Achilles heel heading into the Euros is undoubtedly their defence. Marshalled by 37-year-old Jan Vertonghen, the back-line does not exude confidence and is certainly susceptible to lapses in concentration. These doubts are heightened by the omission of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who reportedly withdrew from national team selection following a dispute regarding the captaincy.  

Though Belgium’s qualification campaign did display some promising signs to relieve those defensive question marks. Only Portugal (2) and France (3) conceded fewer goals than Belgium (4), while they have kept eight clean sheets in their 13 matches under Tedesco.  

The 38-year-old is set to become the youngest manager to take charge of Belgium at a major  tournament, breaking Jack Butler’s record from the 1938 World Cup (43 years). The national team is clearly going through a period of adaptation, with young players such as Jérémy Doku, Amadou Onana and Loïs Openda all breaking into the side.  

Belgium have been knocked out of the Euros in the quarter-finals at both of the previous two finals, while they haven’t reached the final four since they were beaten finalists in 1980. Now, for the first time in a decade, they enter a tournament with tempered expectations. They have also received a kind Group E draw alongside Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine, which should  alleviate the pre-emptive doubts.  

Tedesco has already earned a contract extension after going unbeaten in his first year, and the signs thus far all point to him being the man to help Belgium step out of the shadows of the ‘golden generation’.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.

Belgium topped their qualifying group but what can they produce at Euro 2024?

The Belgium national team were at rock bottom following the 2022 World Cup. They had crashed out of the competition at the group stage, marking another major tournament in which the nation’s latest ‘golden generation’ had failed to live up to expectations. An inquest ensued, with manager Roberto Martínez departing his role, alongside a host of high-profile retirements throughout the squad.

By Luke Bissett

38-year-old Domenico Tedesco, an Italian-German coach, arrived at the helm last February and has quickly revitalised the Red Devils. They are unbeaten in their 13 games under the new manager and topped their Euro 2024 qualification group ahead of Austria and Sweden. Tedesco has been a breath of fresh air, integrating an exciting crop of young players into the set up.

The 38-year-old’s reign started in tremendous fashion: earning a 3-0 away win against Sweden in Euro qualifying before a 3-2 friendly victory over neighbours Germany in his first two matches. It was the Red Devils’ first away success in Germany since 1910. The victory over this summer’s tournament hosts remains Tedesco’s most notable triumph in charge of Belgium, thus far, with the nation going quietly under-the-radar ahead of the upcoming European Championships.  

They comfortably breezed through qualification by topping their group, recording six wins and two draws in their eight games. It is the sixth consecutive major tournament that Belgium have secured qualification as group winners. Though their frightening record in recent qualifying campaigns has never been up for debate – The Red Devils are now unbeaten in their last 40 qualification games (World Cups and Euros), a record that dates back to a 1-0 defeat to Wales in June 2015.  

Tedesco has implemented a notable change in playing style compared to the previous regime,  shifting to a back four rather than the three-man defence that his predecessor Martínez deployed. As a result, the Red Devils have become a much more proactive side. Tedesco was part of a new generation of coaches in Germany, alongside Die Mannschaft boss Julian Nagelsmann, who are driven by data and innovative tactical ideas. And that has certainly rung true so far during the 38-year-old’s spell. He has proven to be tactically flexible, with his side morphing into numerous formations throughout a single game.  

The Belgium boss nominally uses a 4-3-3 set-up, with his charges geared towards high-pressure  attacking football. They have scored 30 goals across their 13 games under Tedesco, netting three or more on an impressive six separate occasions. The Red Devils are ruthless in transition, with their dynamic forward line capable of inflicting damage upon any opposition. They recorded 21 direct attacks in qualifying for the Euros – the most of any nation.  

Belgium still boast one of the most potent attacking lines on the continent with the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne in their ranks. Lukaku comfortably finished Euro 2024 qualifying as the competition’s top scorer with 14 goals, averaging a goal every 39 minutes. The striker – who is still on the books at Chelsea – is also just two goals away from becoming the third top scorer at European Championships finals.  

The Red Devils were prolific in qualifying, recording the fourth highest shot conversion rate (18%). They also outperformed their xG by 9.24 – the biggest overperformance of any nation in the qualification campaign, showcasing just how dangerous they can be. Manchester City midfielder De Bruyne will be integral to Belgium’s performances across the tournament, and his ominous club form at the back end the season will undeniably encourage his manager. 

Tedesco has transformed his side into a relentless pressing unit. 24% of their high turnovers ending in shots during qualification (14/58), which is the highest of any nation that have reached the tournament. Despite the Red Devils’ success out of possession, the 38-year-old still  demands that his side exerts control upon games. Belgium’s opponents made 2455 passes in qualifying, with only Spain allowing their opponents to have fewer (2154). 

Belgium’s Achilles heel heading into the Euros is undoubtedly their defence. Marshalled by 37-year-old Jan Vertonghen, the back-line does not exude confidence and is certainly susceptible to lapses in concentration. These doubts are heightened by the omission of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who reportedly withdrew from national team selection following a dispute regarding the captaincy.  

Though Belgium’s qualification campaign did display some promising signs to relieve those defensive question marks. Only Portugal (2) and France (3) conceded fewer goals than Belgium (4), while they have kept eight clean sheets in their 13 matches under Tedesco.  

The 38-year-old is set to become the youngest manager to take charge of Belgium at a major  tournament, breaking Jack Butler’s record from the 1938 World Cup (43 years). The national team is clearly going through a period of adaptation, with young players such as Jérémy Doku, Amadou Onana and Loïs Openda all breaking into the side.  

Belgium have been knocked out of the Euros in the quarter-finals at both of the previous two finals, while they haven’t reached the final four since they were beaten finalists in 1980. Now, for the first time in a decade, they enter a tournament with tempered expectations. They have also received a kind Group E draw alongside Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine, which should  alleviate the pre-emptive doubts.  

Tedesco has already earned a contract extension after going unbeaten in his first year, and the signs thus far all point to him being the man to help Belgium step out of the shadows of the ‘golden generation’.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.