The Belgian national team, also known as the Red Devils, is gearing up for their first group match at the upcoming European Championship. With just ten days left until the big game, head coach Domenico Tedesco is facing some tough decisions as he finalizes his squad for the tournament.
While four players are currently dealing with injuries, the status of two key players, Youri Tielemans and Aster Vranckx, is causing some concern. Despite making progress in their recovery in recent days, it seems unlikely that Jan Vertonghen and Arthur Theate will be fit to play in the opening match against Slovakia.
Vertonghen’s lingering groin injury and Theate’s ongoing struggles with pain during training mean that Tedesco may have to do without them for the crucial first game. However, there is some positive news as Maxim De Cuyper impressed in his debut as a left-back, providing a potential replacement for Theate. Alternatively, Tedesco could consider moving Castagne to the left and Meunier to the right to cover the defensive positions.
In Vertonghen’s absence, Axel Witsel is expected to step up as a leader in the defense, with the final decision between Debast or Faes still up in the air. Tedesco does have the option to make one more change to his squad before the first match, but only if the UEFA medical team deems the injury severe enough to warrant a replacement.
These developments highlight the importance of having a larger squad of 26 players for such a high-stakes tournament, providing insurance against unforeseen injuries and ensuring that the team is well-prepared for any eventuality. As the clock ticks down to the opening match, Tedesco and his coaching staff will be working tirelessly to find the right balance and strategy to lead the Red Devils to victory in their quest for European glory.