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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dom Smith

Belgium vs Romania: Youri Tielemans pronounces himself fit for Euro 2024 game as he makes demand of Red Devils

Youri Tielemans insists Belgium are not panicking and will show their character as they look to bounce back from their shock opening defeat by Slovakia.

Belgium were wasteful in front of goal as they kicked off their quest to win Euro 2024 by losing 1-0 on Monday in Frankfurt.

Striker Romelu Lukaku was the biggest guilty party when it came to missing chances, although he was unfortunate to have two goals ruled out by VAR.

Belgium are looking to get back on track when they take on Romania tomorrow in Cologne, and Tielemans has called for cool heads.

“We have to keep shooting and hope that the ball will go in the next time,” he said.

“We have to remain as calm as possible in front of goal. There has been no extra training, we just have to make the right decisions in Romania’s box.

“They will play very compactly and try to take advantage of our mistakes. We have to be vigilant about that.

“We know what we have to do. There was a lot of frustration [after the Slovakia game], but that’s football. We now have to show character.”

Tielemans was a substitute for Belgium’s opening game in Group E, coming on for the final 15 minutes of the match.

The Aston Villa midfielder has been struggling with a groin injury in the build-up to the Euros, but he is now fully fit.

“I am ready to play 90 minutes,” said Tielemans. “It was the coach’s choice not to field me from the start against Slovakia.

“I had a groin injury that came back when I was playing at Aston Villa, but now I am 100 per cent fit. I don’t assume that I will be a starter. I am ready to play, just like everyone else.”

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