After sending Portugal in the 16s, Belgium’s Euro 2020 jobs will not be easier as they will fight with Italy for a place in the semi-finals.
Roberto Martinez has spent the past week sweating over the fitness of both Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne, none of whom have returned to training after suffering injuries to Portugal.
With these two stars likely to be missed, here’s how Belgium could line up.
Courtois has so far admitted once / Isosport / MB Media / Getty Images
Thibaut Courtois (GK) – Courtois has only conceded once this summer and will be keen to get ahead of Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Golden Glove race.
Toby Alderweireld (CB) – Alderweireld impressed against Portugal but will need additional top performance against Ciro Immobile.
Thomas Vermaelen (CB) – The oldest member of Belgium’s oldest defense ever, Vermaelen continues to look capable of performing at a high level.
Jan Vertonghen (CB) – Finishing the reliable trio is Vertonghen, who used his experience to hide his lack of pace against Portugal. A professional achievement.
Tielemans may be the creator of his page / Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Thomas Meunier (RWB) – Timothy Castagne is injured, so Meunier has no choice but to be fit for this.Youri Tielemans (CM) – With De Bruyne not 100%, much of Belgium’s creative responsibility will fall on Tielemans, but that’s not something that will scare him.
Axel Witsel (CM) – Against Portugal, Witsel did not look like a man who came from a serious injury. He was a solid anchor and will need to keep this up.
Thorgan Hazard (LWB) – Hazard’s scream was the difference last time, and he did surprisingly well in the unconventional wing back role.
Dries Mertens (AM) – De Bruyne has missed a lot of training and is very unlikely to start, so expect Mertens to get the nod for this one.
Yannick Carrasco (AM) – It was Carrasco who replaced Hazard against Portugal and the Atletico Madrid man could keep his place here.
Lukaku’s main challenger for Golden Boot is out / Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
Romelu Lukaku (ST) – With Cristiano Ronaldo now out of the competition, Lukaku will be keen to start collecting goals and climbing the leaderboards.
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