Defeat to Italy dents Belgium’s Euro 2016 hopes

Belgium’s national side face an uphill task in their Euro 2016 campaign after losing their opening game on Monday night in Lyon 2-0 to Italy. Emanuele Giaccherini’s first-half goal and a stoppage time Graziano Pelle strike stunned Belgium and allowed Italy to take control of Group E.

Belgium were playing their first European Championship match since 2000, when they qualified as co-hosts with The Netherlands. Coach Marc Wilmots chose Romelu Lukaku to start as the lone striker, with Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne on the wings and the towering Marouane Fellaini in the middle. But his defensive formation appeared confusing, as he deployed Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen at left-back and paired Toby Alderweireld with Thomas Vermaelen in the middle.

Antonio Conte’s cunning Italian side took advantage of the tactical incoherence: Their defensive blanket, secured with a series of late tactical fouls, rarely allowed Belgium’s talented individuals any space.

The defeat means the Red Devils need to win at least one of their next two games – against Sweden and the Republic of Ireland – to qualify for the second round.

Photo: Nicolas Vallauri/BELGA