Belgium Profile at UEFA Euro 2024: De Ketelaere Set to Inherit De Bruyne’s Mantle in Midfield

The 2024 UEFA European Championship is imminent, and Leisu Sports is presenting a series of profiles on the 24 teams that have qualified for the finals. Today’s focus is on Belgium, known as the “Red Devils,” a team often hailed as the “Kings of Qualifiers.”

Belgium Men’s National Team Overview: Balanced Age Structure, Underrated Talent

The Belgium men’s national football team was established in 1904 and is governed by the Royal Belgian Football Association. Currently ranked third in the FIFA men’s world rankings, Belgium has experienced a surge of talent in recent years, with players featuring prominently across Europe’s top leagues. Key names include Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City, Théo Hernandez, Thibaut Courtois from Real Madrid, Reiss Nelson from Arsenal, and Romelu Lukaku, who is on loan from Chelsea to AS Roma. Despite consistent top-10 rankings, the team has struggled to replicate this success in major tournaments. Belgium failed to progress from their group in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and reached the quarterfinals in the previous Euro. They have reached the final of the European Championship once, finishing as runners-up in 1980. At Euro 2024, Belgium is drawn in Group E alongside Ukraine, Slovakia, and Romania.

In the Euro 2024 qualifiers, Belgium was placed in Group F with Austria, Sweden, Azerbaijan, and Estonia. They finished unbeaten with six wins and two draws, scoring 22 goals and conceding only four. Lukaku alone accounted for 14 of those goals. The team maintained an average possession rate of 58.13% and a pass accuracy of 86%. Their strategy heavily relies on the target man role, with Lukaku’s form being crucial to their success. This approach, though efficient, can be more traditional and vulnerable when passing lanes are closed off.

Head Coach and Key Players: A Shining Forward Line, an Unheralded Manager

In February 2023, the Belgian FA appointed Tedesco as head coach. Born in 1985 and holding Italian and German citizenship, Tedesco’s playing career was limited to lower-division German football before transitioning into coaching. He started as an assistant coach for Stuttgart’s youth team in 2008 and later managed Schalke 04, Spartak Moscow, and RB Leipzig, winning the DFB-Pokal with Leipzig. Describing his philosophy as “managing space intelligently, like a boxer never letting up, obsessed with attack, and quickly regaining possession after losing it,” Tedesco’s coaching record is relatively modest.

Up front, Belgium boasts an impressive array of talent. Leading scorer in the qualifiers, Lukaku, scored 14 goals despite currently being on loan at Roma. His consistency in front of goal has been vital to Roma’s stability. Reiss Nelson and Christopher Nkunku from Arsenal and RB Leipzig, respectively, compete for the second attacking spot. Nelson scored 12 goals in the Premier League, while Nkunku netted 24 in the Bundesliga, though Nkunku didn’t score in the qualifiers. With room to grow at 24, Nkunku is one to watch. Elsewhere, the dynamic Kylian Mbappé-like figure of Amadou Onana adds pace, while Jeremy Doku from Manchester City and Tino-Sven Susic from Sevilla also contribute, albeit in less prominent roles.

In midfield, the return of De Bruyne, assuming he recovers from injury, will likely secure his place in the 26-man squad. Despite injury setbacks, he still managed 10 assists in just 17 appearances. His creativity is pivotal for both club and country. Young midfielder Charles De Ketelaere, currently on loan at Atalanta from AC Milan, is poised for a breakout tournament, showcasing his dominance with 13 goals and nine assists. Youri Tielemans’ role has become more advanced, functioning as a shadow striker under Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, while Onana and Mangala provide defensive support.

Defensively, while less renowned than their attacking counterparts, the backline is solid. Veteran Jan Vertonghen remains a key figure, providing stability despite his age. Club Brugge’s Zinho Vanheusden often partners with him, forming a reliable central defensive duo. However, Vanheusden can be prone to over-exuberance. Jérémy Doku occasionally features, offering a composed presence. Full-back options include Timothy Castagne, Tino-Sven Susic, with Thomas Meunier losing his starting spot and Zeki Celik emerging.

Goalkeeper Koen Casteels, despite conceding 81 goals in the league, has shown moments of brilliance and sound technique. Despite limited international appearances, he’s expected to be part of Tedesco’s squad.

Belgium’s European Championship History

• 1960: Did not participate.
• 1964, 1968: Failed to qualify for both.
• 1972: Hosts, finished third.
• 1976: Did not qualify.
• 1980: Finished runner-up, losing 1-2 to West Germany.
• 1984: Won one, lost two in the group stage.
• 1988, 1992, 1996: Failed to qualify for three consecutive editions.
• 2000: Won one, lost two in the group stage.
• 2004: Won one, drew one, lost one in the group stage.
• 2008, 2012, 2016: Failed to qualify for three consecutive editions.
• 2016: Eliminated in the quarterfinals (lost 1-3 to Wales).
• 2020: Eliminated in the quarterfinals (lost 1-2 to Italy).

Outlook for Euro 2024

Taking over from Roberto Martínez, Belgium has embarked on a transition phase. Although not as star-studded as the “Golden Generation,” the team remains formidable. In pre-Euro friendlies, they defeated Germany 3-2 and drew 2-2 with favorites England, indicating good form under Tedesco. In Group E, Belgium should comfortably top their group against Ukraine, Slovakia, and Romania, all of which are considered second or third-tier European teams. Advancing to the round of 16, Belgium would face one of the best third-placed teams, which they should also navigate easily. However, a potential quarterfinal clash with France or the Netherlands could prove challenging, making it unlikely for Belgium to advance further.

UEFA Euro 2024 Belgium Men’s National Team Squad (25 Players)

Goalkeepers: Mats Selssies, Koen Casteels, Casteels

Defenders: Thomas Meunier, Tete, Jan Vertonghen, Axel Witsel, Timothy Castagne, Zinho Vanheusden, Jérémy Doku, Zeki Celik, Jérémy Doku

Midfielders: Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Youri Tielemans, Leander Dendoncker, Yannick Carrasco, Kevin De Bruyne, Amadou Onana, Charles De Ketelaere

Forwards: Tino-Sven Susic, Charles De Ketelaere, Romelu Lukaku, Théo Hernandez, Reiss