World second-ranked team Belgium (0-1-0, 0 points) will look to redeem themselves from their opening round debacle as they clash with 33rd-ranked Republic of Ireland at the (0-0-1, 1 point) at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux on Saturday, June 18.
Belgium’s injury woes in their backfield finally caught up to them as they failed to stop the Italians from pulling off a brace against head coach Marc Wilmots’ second-choice defensive unit in a 0-2 loss at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon on Monday, ESPN reported.
One at a time, defenders Vincent Kompany (De Rode Duivels’ team captain), Nicolas Lombaerts, Dedryck Boyata, and Bjorn Engels all went down with injuries before the tournament started, but Wilmots still has a competent defensive group to play in this summer’s Euros with Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Vermaelen, and Laurent Ciman.
They were not able to do it in their tourney-opener, though, as Gli Azzurri scored two goals during their watch at the 32nd minute and in stoppage time courtesy of Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pellè respectively.
The offensive trio of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku was also nonexistent during the match and so they are also anticipated to make amends in this second round game against the Republic of Ireland.
Meanwhile, the Green Army settled for a 1-1 tie with Sweden also last Monday at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, as per BBC Sport.
The two teams both started their Euro campaigns shaky as they failed to score after 45 minutes of play, reaching the halftime break with a 0-0 draw.
Norwich City midfielder Wes Hoolahan finally found the back of the net at the 47th minute for Ireland as he shot the ball past Swede goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson off a cross by Everton’s Seamus Coleman.
The Boys in Green looked headed to an opening game victory, but an own goal from Ciaran Clark during injury time knotted the count.
Despite their opening match loss, Belgium is still favored to win over the Republic of Ireland and is still one of the teams projected to at least qualify in the semifinals.
The predicted result is a 2-0 bounce back win for Belgium.
Belgium starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Courtois; Ciman, Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Witsel, Nainggolan; De Bruyne, Fellaini, Hazard; Lukaku
Republic of Ireland starting lineup (4-3-1-2 formation): Randolph; Coleman, O’Shea, Clark, Brady; McCarthy, Whelan, Hendrick; Hoolahan; Walters, Long
