Belgium vs Slovakia

Deutsche Bank Park sets the stage for an exciting Euro 2024 Group E curtain-raiser between Belgium and Slovakia.

Gearing up for their third consecutive Euros appearance, Belgium have seemingly removed the pressure off Domenico Tedesco’s shoulders after their trophyless ‘golden generation’ bowed out of the 2022 World Cup in the group stages. Tedesco took charge of De Rode Duivels immediately after the tournament and turned them into a supreme force, going unbeaten in all 14 matches at the helm (W10, D4). In addition to producing a traditionally rampant qualifying campaign, Tedesco has plugged Belgium’s defensive holes, with only England breaching their defense across their last six internationals. Back-to-back qualifications for the Euros quarter-finals keep the benchmark high. Yet the Belgians seem well-positioned to live up to the billing after winning both June friendlies by 2+ goals ‘to nil,’ dispatching Montenegro and Luxembourg in the process.

In the meantime, Slovakia will compete at their third consecutive Euros since making their tournament debut as an independent nation back in 2016. Despite commencing their Euro 2020 campaign with a win against Poland, the Slovakians flamed out of the group stages after losing their subsequent two matches. That disheartening exit saw ex-manager Stefan Tarkovic lose his job, with Francesco Calzona taking his place in the dugout and inspiring the ‘Falcons’ to a stunning qualifying cycle, which featured just two defeats – both against continental powerhouse Portugal (W7, D1). Unbeaten in three successive friendlies ahead of the tournament (W2, D1), including a pair of 4-0 triumphs against San Marino and Wales, Slovakia will hope to register their first-ever victory against Belgium after three failed attempts (D2, L1).