21/11/2024

Belgium vs Slovakia: Lukaku looks to strengthen Golden Boot claim in group opener

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Belgium vs Slovakia: Lukaku looks to strengthen Golden Boot claim in group opener

The Belgian striker is tipped to be among the highest scorers at Euro 2024, but how will he fare against a resolute Slovakia defence on Monday? 

The Belgian striker is tipped to be among the highest scorers at Euro 2024, but how will he fare against a resolute Slovakia defence on Monday? 

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku may have struggled settling at the various clubs he's played for so far during his career, but finding the back of the net has never really been a problem. 

No player managed more than the 14 goals he scored during EURO 2024 qualifying to help his country secure a place at a sixth consecutive major tournament. 

The 31-year-old also found the net 21 times in AS Roma colours this season and will no doubt be eyeing a shot at the Golden Boot in Germany this summer. 

First up for the Red Devils is a meeting with Francesco Calzona's Slovakia side on Monday evening as action gets underway in Group E.

  • Romelu Lukaku: Europe's under-appreciated goalscorer 

Having played for three clubs in as many seasons in recent years, Lukaku has had trouble settling at club level since vacating Anderlecht for Chelsea 13 years ago. 

The Belgian managed just 10 appearances in his maiden spell with the West London club, but enjoyed fruitful loans at both West Bromwich Albion and Everton in 2012/13 and 2013/14 respectively.

Bagging a combined 32 goals for both clubs, Lukaku penned a permanent deal with the Toffees in 2014 and went on to score 53 goals in Merseyside blue before opting to sign with Manchester United in the summer of 2017.

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A difficult spell at Old Trafford still saw Lukaku find the net 28 times under a conservative manager in Jose Mourinho, before the Belgian set his sights on a move across the continent. 

He would go on to sign for Inter Milan, where he scored 47 goals in his first spell and helped fire Nerazzurri to their first Serie A title in 2020/21. 

Subsequent spells at Chelsea, Inter (on loan, 2022/23) and Roma have seen him net a further 51 times to establish himself as one of Europe's most prolific strikers in front of goal.

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  • Prolific in Belgium colours

Not only has Lukaku made a habit of finding the net at club level, but he also reigns as the all-time top goalscorer for his country. 

Boasting 85 goals for Belgium heading into the Slovakia encounter, he sits comfortably ahead of Eden Hazard, whose 33 strikes leaves him second in the Belgium scoring charts.

Having featured at five major tournaments to-date, the 31-year-old has already scored 11 times. 

While the current crop of Belgium players have been accused of underachieving, Lukaku remains one of a select few who can be said to have done their bit.

He is also in good stead to add to his tally on Monday evening after bagging four goals in Belgium's final qualifying match with Azerbaijan in November, also scoring twice in his nation's recent friendly with Luxembourg last weekend. 

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  • Slovakia: A deceiving defensive record? 

First up for Lukaku and co. will be Calzona's Slovakia at the Frankfurt Arena on Monday. 

The Slovaks qualified for the tournament with a second-placed finish in Group J, eight points behind group-toppers Portugal

Finding the net 17 times across their 10 qualifiers, Slovakia boasted an even more impressive defensive record, conceding just eight goals and keeping five clean sheets. 

Only three of those matches saw them concede more than once and keeping out the prolific Lukaku will surely be a top priority to give themselves a strong chance of progressing from Group E. 

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However, the comparatively weak opposition Slovakia faced during qualifying cannot be ignored. 

Outside of leaders Portugal, the highest-ranked side faced by Calzona's men was Iceland, who currently sit 72nd in the FIFA World Rankings. 

Their recent wins against Wales and San Marino, neither of whom are competing in Germany, also marked their first clean sheets in four matches. 

A recent 1-1 draw against Norway saw them concede an alarming 19 shots and a worrying 1.77 expected goals against (xGA). 

As they prepare to face one of Europe's most established forwards, who will be buoyed by a midfield mercurial in Kevin De Bruyne, the odds of Slovakia keeping Lukaku out across the full 90 are very slim. 

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