After a week of preparation, Rudi Garcia is fielding a typical team (or almost) for Belgium’s first friendly match, this Tuesday against Croatia, in Rijeka (kick-off 6 p.m., live on L’Equipe Live Foot). Thibaut Courtois returns to his place in goal after missing the last two Red Devils meetings, Kevin De Bruyne is lined up at number 10 but Romelu Lukaku, the third representative of the golden generation, does not start.
The 33-year-old center forward was left out of Naples at the end of the season, preferring to perfect his physical condition ahead of his last World Cup. Lukaku has appeared in good shape in Belgian training in recent days, according to his French coach, but does not start against the Croatians and has left to play luxury understudies in North America. Charles De Ketelaere is aligned up front, while Jeremy Doku and Alexis Saelemaekers will occupy the wings.
Belgium with only one Ligue 1 player
In front of Courtois, we find Losc central defender Nathan Ngoy associated with Arthur Theate. Captain Youri Tielemans and the essential Amadou Onana lead the midfield. On the bench, we find Thomas Meunier, Axel Witsel, Diego Moreira or Matias Fernandez-Pardo against the Croatians of Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic. The second test match will see the Belgians challenge Sabri Lamouchi’s Tunisia on Saturday in Brussels.
To see if this starting eleven composed this Tuesday afternoon will be that of the first match of the World Cup against Egypt, next June 15 in Seattle. Belgium will continue against Egypt and Iran in their group G. Romelu Lukaku will perhaps benefit from more playing time as the tournament progresses.
