da bet7： The Red Devils are set for a first major tournament since the dispersal of an exceptional group of players, but they still have the tools to thrive

da doce： No Eden Hazard, no Toby Alderweireld, no Dries Mertens; the Belgium squad will have a very different look to it when their Euro 2024 campaign kicks-off against Slovakia on Monday. The so-called 'golden generation' dispersed in the wake of a disastrous group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup – a tournament that was widely considered to be the country's final chance to claim an elusive piece of silverware.

Eighteen months on, new manager Domenico Tedesco is hoping a blend of experience – in the form of the vestiges of that special era – and youthful exuberance can propel the Red Devils on to spring a surprise in Germany. While many have moved on, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Jan Vertonghen all remain key players, while emerging talents such as Jeremy Doku and Johan Bakayoko suggest Belgium's time at the top isn't over just yet.

Something of an unknown quantity in their first major tournament since the majority of their golden generation stepped aside, they are barely in the conversation when it comes to Euro 2024 winners or even dark horses – but don't write Belgium off just yet…

GettyRemains of a golden era

The spine of Tedesco's team actually hasn't changed all that much, barring a few notable absentees, which means there is some familiarity and consistency in the group which could well be vital in a tournament setting.

Belgium's most-capped player, 37-year-old Vertonghen, is still knocking about at the back, fellow veteran Axel Witsel has come out of retirement after just one year to take up a midfield spot alongside stalwart and captain De Bruyne, and Lukaku will continue to lead the line.

Elsewhere, the likes of Timothy Castagne, Youri Tielemans and Leandro Trossard have been in and around the squad for years and have all been plying their trade at a high level in the Premier League.

Some established names have been left out of the squad altogether, though, despite being fit, as Tedesco looks to usher in a new era. Veteran forward Mertens has been told he will no longer be considered for selection, and Michy Batshuayi – a staple of the squad for nine years – has been overlooked too, despite having a fine club season with Fenerbahce.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesIn-form creator-in-chief

Even if they are unfancied, any team's chances are significantly boosted if they have a superstar in their ranks, and Belgium undoubtedly have that in the form of Manchester City dynamo De Bruyne.

After spending half the season out recovering from surgery on a hamstring injury he suffered on the opening day of the Premier League campaign, the attacking midfielder returned with the bit between his teeth. He racked up 18 assists in just 26 appearances in all competitions, as well as six goals.

The 31-year-old had not played for his country for more than a year as a result of his fitness issues before returning to the fold to receive his 100th cap in the friendly against Montenegro in early June, scoring to mark the occasion. One of the finest players on the planet, he is in exactly the kind of form Belgium would have hoped for ahead of the tournament.

GettyInternational goal-machine

Lukaku is the man who will hope to be the main beneficiary of De Bruyne's form. Although he has blown hot and cold at club level in Serie A over the last couple of seasons, he is a different beast in his international colours.

The striker was lethal in qualifying, bagging 10 goals in just seven games as Belgium went unbeaten en route to sealing their place at the tournament proper, including a hat-trick in their first game against Sweden. He heads into Euro 2024 on a run of 10 goals in his last six international appearances.

It goes without saying that having someone to put the ball into the back of the net is absolutely crucial on the tournament stage, and the Chelsea hitman – whose future is well and truly up in the air – could hardly be in better goal-scoring form for his country as they prepare to get their Euro 2024 campaign underway.

"He plays an incredibly important role both on and off the pitch," Tedesco told recently. "On the pitch, his goals speak for themselves, but there's more to him than that. He knows exactly when he should pass if he has his back to goal or if he can turn round and shoot at goal himself. He is dangerous in lots of situations, not just in set-pieces, crosses. In the last third of the pitch, he is unpredictable and difficult to defend against. I don't think many defenders would choose to defend against him.

"But his importance off the pitch is undoubted because he knows lots of players, particularly young players, whom he can look after and become a sort of mentor to. He concerns himself with many things, he looks after many things in the dressing room, which makes him extremely important."

GettyBut where is Courtois?

There will be one very significant absentee, however. Despite overcoming a ruptured ACL and a subsequent knee injury to be fit in time for the tournament, world-class goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been overlooked – but this was never a matter of simply winning a race against time.

Courtois has had a monumental, very-public falling out with Tedesco, and at 32 years old, his international future is in serious jeopardy. It all began when the shot-stopper was overlooked for the captaincy in June last year and took exception to his dirty laundry being aired publicly by the head coach. The Real Madrid star then fanned the flames in March this year – calling Tedesco a liar on social media after the manager claimed he had "tried absolutely everything" to repair the relationship.

Courtois had already ruled himself out of Euro 2024 by that point in the belief that he wouldn't be in peak physical condition, and – ignoring the elephant in the room – Tedesco confirmed in May that the goalkeeper would not be included in his plans, saying: "Thibaut Courtois has been very clear and honest. The latest information we have received is that he is not ready for the Euros."

Koen Casteels will be Belgium's No.1 in his absence, and it remains to be seen whether we will ever see Courtois play for his country again, with Tedesco extending his contract until 2026.