Domenico Tedesco has expressed his confidence in striker Romelu Lukaku’s ability to bounce back after a frustrating performance against Slovakia on Monday.
Although Lukaku scored twice, the Red Devils suffered a 1-0 defeat in their opening match of the 2024 European Championship, as both of the 31-year-old’s goals were ultimately disallowed by the video referee.
Ivan Schranz proved to be Slovakia’s hero when he skilfully capitalised on a Koen Casteels save in the seventh minute, while on the Belgian side the referees were the villains.
First, it was a close offside when Lukaku hammered home a cross from Amadou Onana just after the hour mark. Then Lois Openda was handballed in the final minutes of the game before Lukaku’s goal.
Ahead of Belgium’s clash with Romania on Saturday evening, Tedesco spoke to Lukaku, offering him his full support and encouraging him to keep his head up.
“We spoke yesterday after training, but we always talk to each other because he is one of the most important players in the squad,” Tedesco told reporters on Friday. “It is important (to understand) what he thinks. I often ask him for his opinion.”
“He just needs to score one goal (and there will be more to come). He actually did that twice, but the goals were disallowed. We all want him to score six goals from six chances, but that’s not realistic, even if he has the quality to do it.”
Lukaku is Belgium’s all-time top scorer and almost scored a hat-trick in a friendly against Luxembourg before the start of the European Championship.
The Red Devils are currently in last place in Group E. Slovakia, Ukraine and Romania all have three points.
