At Borussia Dortmund it was only mixed for Thomas Meunier. But in the Belgian national jersey, the BVB professional got off to a really good start at the EM.
Dortmund / St. Petersburg – That was a tailor-made start to the European Championship for Thomas Meunier and his Belgians against Russia. The Borussia Dortmund professional and his national team mates finished off the Russians 3-0 on Saturday (June 12th). The BVB actor played a key role in this.
| Name | Thomas Meunier |
| Born | September 12, 1991 (age 29), Sainte-Ode, Belgium |
| size | 1,91 Meter |
| Current teams | Borussia Dortmund (# 24 / defender), Belgian national soccer team (# 15) |
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Thomas Meunier: BVB professional excelled in Belgium’s victory against Russia
With one goal and one assist, Thomas Meunier was one of the “match winners” in Belgium. The BVB professional initially sat on the bench and saw Romelu Lukaku make it 1-0 from there. But the 29-year-old came into the game after just 27 minutes for Timothy Castagne, who was injured in the face – and immediately fitted in brilliantly.
Just seven minutes after the right-back came on, it was a co-production by BVB players that brought the Belgians to a 2-0 lead. A cross from Thorgan Hazard, which goalkeeper Anton Shunin only let bounce forward, dusted off Thomas Meunier.
Thomas Meunier (BVB): European Championship record after substituting for Belgium
With his goal, Thomas Meunier even set a new record. Because never before has a substitute scored in the first half of a European Championship. And the Belgians’ success story should not end there.
Because BVB professional Thomas Meunier was even involved in the 3-0 when he marched through the midfield and served Romelu Lukaku perfectly with a long pass, which ended with the final score.
BVB professional Thomas Meunier excelled in Belgium’s opening win against Russia at the EM.
© Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP
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BVB: Thomas Meunier and Thorgan Hazard play for Belgium, Axel Witsel not in the squad
Like his BVB team-mate Thorgan Hazard, Thomas Meunier was on the pitch until the final whistle. The long-injured Axel Witsel was not nominated for the squad against Russia.
The performances in the Belgian national jersey should have been balm for the soul for Thomas Meunier. Because at Borussia Dortmund, the right-back had a difficult 2020/21 season. Although the 29-year-old was on the field in 21 games, he was rarely able to convince.
Thomas Meunier (BVB): Problems at Borussia Dortmund in the second half of the season
In April, BVB coach Edin Terzic Thomas Meunier made a clear announcement. “He’s part of the squad and I talk to him like I talk to everyone else in the squad. About things that need to be improved and what we are asking for and what was not good recently, ”said the coach.
Thomas Meunier has been playing less recently at BVB.
© firo Sportphoto / Jürgen Fromme via Inderlied / Kirchner-Media
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In the first half of the season, Thomas Meunier was always part of the regular staff, especially in the Bundesliga. After tearing a hamstring in December, he returned straight to the starting XI. But after an infection in his knee at the end of January, the situation changed for the Belgian.
Thomas Meunier (BVB): Looking back against Mateu Morey and Lukasz Piszczek
From then on, Mateu Morey was preferred. Even after the bad injury to the Spaniard, the situation did not change for Thomas Meunier. Actually the way would have been clear, but veteran Lukasz Piszczek was in top form in the final phase of his career. The Belgian was left behind again.
However, the 29-year-old was also sober about his first black and yellow season. In April, BVB professional Thomas Meunier spoke clearly about his achievements: “This is not the Meunier of the big evenings. I haven’t played since my injury in January. It’s a bit complicated. ”According to his own statement, he played more“ like a defender ”than showing an offensive urge.
Thomas Meunier (BVB): Belgium was doing better than Borussia Dortmund
In the Belgian national team, things have been going better for Thomas Meunier in the past few months. In March he prepared two goals in the games against Wales and Belarus and actually always played from the start. At the start of the European Championship, the BVB professional had to pay tribute to his achievements in the black and yellow jersey.
But Thomas Meunier showed with a good performance that he would like to return to the starting line-up in Belgium. Since Timothy Castagne suffered a double eye level break and is injured for the rest of the European Championship, the Dortmund player’s chances should not be bad. On Thursday (June 17), it is against Denmark with BVB professional Thomas Delaney, who has to deal with the shock of Christian Eriksen first.
Rubriklistenbild: © Anatoly Maltsev / AFP
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