Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco will wait for several key players to recover from injury even if it means they miss the opening stages of the European Championship in Germany this month.
Veteran defender Jan Vertonghen, midfielder Youri Tielemans and defender Arthur Theate are being given time to play in the tournament because they are considered vital to Belgium’s cause, Tedesco said on Tuesday.
“Of course, you prefer to take players who are fully fit, but that’s okay. We want to wait and be patient for some players even if they cannot play in those first matches,” he told a press conference.
The 37-year-old Vertonghen, Belgium’s most capped international with 154 appearances, is struggling to shake off a groin injury.
“He will be there normally. This also applies to Youri Tielemans and Arthur Theate. The latter’s position is very sensitive. We don’t have many choices at left back.
“It will only change if it turns out that they will only be available when, say, the final of the European Championship comes around. That’s too long to wait.
“However, I am confident that the injured boys are on track for the Euros. Some of them have taken not one but two steps forward in their rehabilitation,” he said.
None of the injured players will feature in this week’s warm-up friendlies against Montenegro and Luxembourg.
Belgium’s first game at Euro 2024 is against Slovakia in Frankfurt on June 17.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ed Osmond)
