Image copyright: Getty Images
Euro 2024
Group E
Belgium v Romania
RheinEnergieStadion
Cologne, Germany
Saturday, 22 June 2024
Kick-off is at 21h00
Belgium will be determined to get their Euro 2024 campaign up and running when they face Romania at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne on Saturday, June 22.
The Red Devils have yet to put any points on the board in Group E after suffering a surprise 1-0 defeat against Slovakia at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt on June 17.
Domenico Tedesco's side were unable to find a reply after Ivan Schranz gave the Falcons a seventh-minute lead and the clash with the Tricolours takes on an extra importance.
It has been 12 years since the two teams last met and Belgium have only ever beaten Romania twice in seven attempts, losing on three occasions.
Much had been expected of their golden generation, who reached the quarter-finals of the 2016 and 2020 editions, while they finished third at the 2018 World Cup.
Tedesco insists there is no need to panic just yet, with the only missing ingredient against Slovakia being goals as they created numerous chances without success.
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
"I can't tell the team much about what needed to be better. We have created many opportunities, great opportunities. If we had scored first, that would have helped us," he said.
"But we had control and didn't let Slovakia play their game. The only thing that wasn't perfect was our finishing."
The Tricolours made history as they recorded their biggest win at a major tournament with a 3-0 triumph over Ukraine at the Allianz Arena in Munich on June 17.
Damac midfielder Nicolae Stanciu became the first player to score at the European Championship whilst on the books of a Saudi Arabian club when he broke the deadlock on 29 minutes, and second-half goals from Razvan Marin (53') and Denis Dragus (57') sealed a first tournament win in 24 years for the Eastern European nation.
Edward Iordanescu's side moved to the top of the group on goal difference and the 46-year-old coach believes the current crop of players have "limitless" potential after building on an impressive qualifying campaign.
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
"It was a fantastic effort by my team. If you had any doubts, I think you can believe me now that this is a great team. Congratulations to the lads. It's just incredible," Iordanescu said.
"Since I joined the national team I've had difficult moments. It's not always been easy. We've had other big performances. We've had golden generations with big performances, but this generation represents the soul.
"This team has put the biggest effort into everything. As big a heart as this team, nobody has ever had. This generation is limitless."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Meetings)
Matches - 5
Belgium wins - 1
Romania wins - 3
Draws - 1
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