Belgium can build on Euro 2024 warm-up win over Montenegro
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Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco will next lead his team against Luxembourg in their final warm-up game before Euro 2024.
PHOTO: REUTERS
BRUSSELS – Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco said he had learnt some valuable lessons, specifically regarding his team’s shape, from their 2-0 victory over Montenegro in their Euro 2024 warmup friendly on June 5.
Kevin de Bruyne scored the opening goal in Brussels as he won his 100th cap and Leandro Trossard tucked away a stoppage-time penalty for a win that never looked in doubt, but was far from convincing ahead of the European Championship in Germany.
“I learnt a lot today and with all the changes I made, it was harder to keep the same structure after the break,” said Tedesco. “We also had a harder time getting into the game, but after 75 minutes things went better again.”
The Belgians started well but were thwarted by an outstanding performance from Montenegro’s English-born goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, before de Bruyne netted just before half-time.
The star playmaker was making his first international appearance in more than a year, after a hamstring injury saw him miss half a season at English Premier League champions Manchester City.
“I'm happy to be back. It's been a long time,” the 32-year-old said.
“It's nice to be able to play my 100th cap here in Belgium. This is a good start and it was fun to score. We deservedly took the lead in the first half, but after the break things became a little more difficult due to the substitutions.
“It is important to get into a rhythm. There were good moments, but there were also moments that could of course have been better. But we can build on this.”
Tedesco has another warmup match on June 8 before the team head to Germany.
“For the next match against Luxembourg, (striker Romelu) Lukaku will come back into the team to get some minutes,” he added. “I will also adjust some other things. In any case, I will not make six substitutions at half-time again.”
Elsewhere, Christian Eriksen scored a stunning late winner to give Denmark a 2-1 victory over Sweden at a sold-out Parken stadium, cementing his spot as the Danes’ most potent creative force ahead of Euro 2024.
It took just over a minute for the home side to break the deadlock as the Swedish defence was caught napping at the game’s first corner, and Eriksen found Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at the near post for an easy finish.
The Swedes struck back quickly through Alexander Isak, but the 32-year-old Eriksen, who collapsed from a heart attack on the same pitch in the Euro opener against Finland in June 2021, pulled the strings throughout.
The Manchester United midfielder’s curling, dipping strike in the 86th minute then sealed a well-deserved win. REUTERS
