Belgium vs Montenegro

High-flying Belgium return to the King Baudouin Stadium for their penultimate friendly ahead of Euro 2024 as minnows Montenegro arrive in high spirits.

The clock is ticking for Belgium’s trophyless ‘Golden Generation’ to make a standout success on the grandest continental platform following a gut-wrenching group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup. A 2-0 defeat to Morocco proved the end of the road for ex-manager Roberto Martinez, who surrendered his place to Domenico Tedesco immediately after the tournament. The former RB Leipzig boss has turned the Belgians’ fortunes around, masterminding an eye-catching 13-game unbeaten run since taking over (W8, D5), plus a near-flawless Euro 2024 qualifying campaign (W6, D2). Belgium’s preparations for the tournament commenced with back-to-back draws in March, but they’ll still take the field in a buoyant mood. Indeed, you’d need to go back to June 2022 for the last time ‘De Rode Duivels’ lost a home clash (W5, D2 since).

As for Montenegro, their valiant attempt to secure their maiden major tournament appearance since gaining independence in 2006 came crashing down on the final day. A 3-1 defeat at Hungary condemned the ‘Brave Falcons’ to a third-place finish in Euro 2024 qualifying Group G behind neighbors Serbia, forcing head coach Miodrag Radulovic to bid an early farewell. His successor, Robert Prosinecki, has gone from strength to strength at the beginning of his tenure, dispatching Belarus and North Macedonia in his first two games in charge via an aggregate score of 3-0. However, it’s worth noting that both those wins came on home turf. Prosineci’s next assignment is to address Montenegro’s travel sickness that has seen them go winless on their last three road trips (D1, L2).