Domenico Tedesco Praises Belgium Star As “Crucial
Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco has praised Romelu Lukaku ahead of this summer’s European Championship. The 31-year-old, who spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Roma from Chelsea, holds the record for Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer, having scored 85 goals for his national team.
Lukaku will lead the line for the Red Devils at Euro 2024, and Tedesco has emphasized the “extremely important role” that the striker plays “both on and off the pitch”.
“He plays an extremely important role both on and off the pitch. On the field, his goal-scoring prowess speaks volumes, but there’s more to his game,” Tedesco told UEFA’s official website.
“He possesses excellent awareness of when to pass, whether he’s facing away from goal or if he can turn and take a shot himself. He poses a threat in numerous situations, not just during set pieces or crosses. In the attacking third of the pitch, he is unpredictable and poses a challenge for defenders. I doubt many defenders would relish the prospect of facing him.”
Lukaku has scored 85 goals for his national team.
“But his significance off the field is undeniable because he has a deep understanding of many players, especially younger ones, whom he can guide and serve as a mentor to.
“He takes care of various aspects and responsibilities in the locker room, which makes him exceptionally valuable.”
Tedesco also shared his thoughts on the favorites for the Euro 2024 trophy, suggesting that France, Portugal, England, Spain, and Germany will be the primary contenders for the title.
“France will undoubtedly play a significant role, and Portugal performed exceptionally well during the qualification phase. Spain, England, and, naturally, Germany, hosting the tournament, could be considered the top favorites,” he added.
Belgium advanced to the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
Tedesco also discussed his strategies for Euro 2024, aiming for Belgium to surpass their quarter-final finish in the previous European Championship in 2021.
“Tactically, we’ll need to assess our approach. It’s not fixed, but what’s crucial is fostering a positive atmosphere,” he remarked.
“I believe everyone is eager, but our focus should be on maintaining a constructive atmosphere, given the extended time we’ll spend together—hopefully several weeks. That’s our primary goal right now.
“We have a plethora of exciting players, many of whom have made significant strides in recent months, moving to larger clubs. This is very promising. We already possess considerable versatility. Our approach can adapt based on the available squad. We’re capable of playing in various styles.”
Belgium secured victories against Montenegro (2-0) and Luxembourg (3-0) in their two pre-Euro 2024 friendly matches. They will kick off their tournament against Slovakia on June 17, followed by matches against Romania and Ukraine in Group E.
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