For its first match of the Euro, Belgium has to deal with several absentees. Kevin De Bruyne is forfeited, while Axel Witsel and Eden Hazard, physically short, are on the substitutes’ bench.
Belgium is preparing to start the Euro, at 9 p.m. against Russia, with several major absentees. Kevin De Bruyne is forfeited this match since his injury in the Champions League final, against Chelsea, but coach Roberto Martinez will also have to do without Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel, too fair physically.
During the preparation matches, Eden Hazard did not play against Greece before coming into play less than ten minutes against Croatia last weekend. Since February, the former Lille player has only had two starts, in all competitions: one in La Liga, at the beginning of May against Osasuna, and another in the Champions League, in the semi-final return against Chelsea.
The two teams in 3-4-3
The large workforce of the Red Devils in the offensive sector, however, allows Martinez to align Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and Yannick Carrasco in front. In his 3-4-3, the Belgium coach then opted for Alderweireld, Boyata and Vertonghen in defense. Tielemans and Dendoncker will be present in the midfield, with Castagne and Thorgan Hazard in pistons.
On the Russian side, coach Cherchesov also opted for a 3-4-3. Aleksandr Golovin is lined up in the attacking trio while veteran Zhirkov, almost 38 years old and already present at Euro 2008, when Russia reached the semi-finals, holds the post of left piston.
The composition of Belgium: Courtois – Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Boyata – Castagne, Tielemans, Dendoncker, T. Hazard – Mertens, Lukaku, Carrasco.
The composition of Russia: Shunin – Mario Fernandes, Barinov, Dzhikiya, Semenov, Zhirkov – Zobnin, Ozdoev, Kuzyayev, Golovin – Dzyuba.
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