Belgium coach counts on Lukaku to assume leadership in the absence of De Bruyne and Courtois
BRUSSELS (AP) — For Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco, calling up Romelu Lukaku for a couple of European Championship qualifiers was a no brainer.
Even though the striker’s season-long loan deal to Roma was only completed Thursday — ending uncertainty over his future and a standoff with Chelsea — and Lukaku having not played so far this campaign.
Tedesco said he closely followed the developments that led to Lukaku's move at Roma, and that he knew how seriously the striker trained despite the offseason Chelsea row.
“I know that he was training. He was training with Chelsea too, of course, but also individually," Tedesco said after including Belgium’s record scorer in the 24-man squad.
"For us it was not a question to invite him or not, because I think you saw in the last games how important he is. Not just as a player, also for the changing room. He is a leader. He is a top striker, and a top human," Tedesco added.
Belgium, which is second in Group F three points behind Austria but with a match in hand, takes on Azerbaijan on Sept. 9 then hosts Estonia three days later. The 2024 Euro tournament takes place in Germany.
Tedesco said he will have more certainties about Lukaku's fitness after a few days of preparations starting next week at Belgium's training camp. In the absence of stalwarts Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois, Tedesco insisted on the need for inspirational players in the squad.
“We have some leaders, and Romelu is one of them,” Tedesco said.
While De Bruyne's absence is only due to his hamstring injury, the situation with Courtois is more complicated.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper tore a ligament in his left knee, just two days before the team’s first game of the season, but it remain unclear whether he would have positively answered a call from Tedesco following their dispute in June.
At the time, the coach accused Courtois of abandoning his teammates and faking an injury before a Euro qualifier because the goalie was “offended” by Tedesco's handling of the captaincy.
Asked whether they had settled their score, Tedesco said the Belgium staff has remained in contact with Courtois. He added that a meeting with the goalkeeper which he suggested did not materialize because “the very next day he got this injury.”
“The most important thing is that he is back on the pitch very soon,” Tedesco said, adding that he has not set a deadline for Courtois' decision to return or not.
“Life is too short to be, how can I say, too strict,” Tedesco said. “We have to enjoy it.”
To make up for Courtois' absence, Tedesco called up four goalkeepers — Koen Casteels, Matz Sels, Arnaud Bodart and Thomas Kaminski.
Tesdesco also called one new player, Cercle Brugge defender Hugo Siquet. The right-back was included after Alexis Saelemaekers picked up an injury while training with Bologna.
“He has a brilliant foot,” Tedesco said. “He is able to be dangerous with the last pass from every position. From outside but also from inside. Beautiful crosses, good set pieces. And I think a good mentality.”
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Belgium squad
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels, Matz Sels, Arnaud Bodart, Thomas Kaminski.
Defenders: Ameen Al-Dakhil, Timothy Castagne, Zeno Debast, Wout Faes, Arthur Theate, Jan Vertonghen, Hugo Siquet.
Midfielders: Orel Mangala, Yannick Carrasco, Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans
Forwards: Johan Bakayoko, Michy Batshuayi, Charles De Ketelaere, Olivier Deman, Jeremy Doku, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Loïs Openda, Leandro Trossard.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
