National coach Roberto Martínez has announced the final selection of the Belgian national team. The Belgians meet the Dutch national team, Wales and Poland twice in the context of the UEFA Nations League. The Spaniard has called up no fewer than 32 players. Lois Openda is the most notable name in the selection. The attacker of Club Brugge, loaned to Vitesse this season, makes his debut in the selection of the Red Devils†
Martínez explains his choice for the Vitesse attacker. “Openda is a very fast player. He has scored 23 times this season and has a different profile than any of the players we have so far. He has shown maturity in the Eredivision. He embraces the responsibility he is given. Now is the right time for him to show it to the Red Devils† The national coach has also made room for trusted names such as Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.
3??2?? Devils to start our #NationsLeague campaign! † #DEVILTIME pic.twitter.com/65rcF8jtT9
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) May 18, 2022
In addition to Openda, another player can also make his debut for the national team. Amadou Onana, midfielder at OSC Lille, is also in the final selection for the first time. “Amadou has been able to prove himself in the Champions League at the highest level. He is very versatile. I see him as number six. Onana and Openda were successful in the U23. It is the right time to transfer them to the Red Devils†
“We will play four games in twelve days so it will be intense and competitive,” explains Martínez his choice for the large selection. “If everyone is fit, we will try to use as many players as possible in these four games.” The Belgians are worried about Thorgan Hazard, Thomas Meunier and Jason Denayer, all of whom have been out of action in recent weeks due to injuries: “They still need medical attention, but it looks positive.”
Belgium will play at home against the Dutch national team on Friday 3 June. On Wednesday 8 June, the Belgians will receive a visit from Poland, after which an away game against Wales is scheduled three days later. The first part of the Nations League campaign ends with an away game in Poland. The number one in the group qualifies for the knockout phase of the tournament. The last in the group is relegated from the A-group of the Nations League.
Full selection Belgium†
Goal: Koen Casteels (VfL Wolfsburg), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Matz Sels (Strasbourg)
Defense: Toby Alderweireld (Al-Duhail), Dedryck Boyata (Hertha Berlin), Timothy Castagne (Leicester City), Jason Denayer (Olympique Lyon), Wout Faes (Reims), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Arthur Theater (Bologna), Jan Vertonghen (Benfica)
Midfield: Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Thomas Foket (Stade de Reims), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), Leander Dendoncker (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Amadou Onana (Lille OSC) , Youri Tielemans (Leicester City), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Borussia Dortmund)
Attack: Charles De Ketelaere (Club Brugge), Eden Hazard (Real Madrid), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Dennis Praet (Torino), Leandro Trossard (Brighton & Hove Albion), Michy Batshuayi (Besiktas), Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea), Lois Openda (Vitesse).