For its last group match, and for qualification in the round of 16, Belgium only needs one point. But Domenico Tedesco, after the Slovak slap (0-1) and the Romanian success (2-0), will not want to calculate. Based on the Cologne match, logic would dictate that the same team as last Saturday would be fielded, with one nuance, in size: the suspension of Dodi Lukebakio will force the coach to modify, for the seventeenth time in a row in ten -seven games, his starting team.
There are many candidates on the right flank and the reasons to start one rather than the other are just as many. Leandro Trossard, who came on in place of Lukebakio against the Romanians for the last half hour, seems to be the first candidate. Firstly because, despite his limited contribution, the Arsenal player has the profile of a player capable of defending against a Ukrainian left flank that will have to be managed. Then, for purely management reasons, Tedesco could be tempted to relaunch him, to show him that he still counts on him.
Tedesco is confident but is not going to provoke destiny: “I will not sing Brabançonne against Ukraine because we lost when I did”
Bakayoko for the last half hour?
Is he still counting on Johan Bakayoko? The PSV player could hurt on the right side and push the Ukrainians to defend more, on their strong side. But is Bakayoko disciplined enough to do the defensive work and, if necessary, help Castagne avoid one-on-two situations? Bakayoko was well put together against Slovakia and the idea that he will once again be called upon to shake up the opponent with his acceleration could be an option.
Other profiles, like Carrasco or even De Ketelaere could also claim a place, but this seems less obvious. For the rest, the team should not move and Thomas Meunier will not yet take a place on the bench. Arriving late Monday afternoon in Ludwigsburg, he only trained this Tuesday, partly, in Freiberg.
On the Ukrainian side, the question that accompanies the team concerns Mykolenko. Returning from injury, the Everton player could occupy the left-back position and allow Zinchenko to move up a notch, on the left side. In this case, Shaparenko would be out of the team.
