Despite going into the match as favourites, Belgium could only muster a
single shot on target and fell to strikes from Emanuele Giaccherini and
Graziano Pelle, as Antonio Conte's team went top of the group. Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has now admitted that his side were no match for Italy's tactics, as the Azzurri romped to a 2-0 win in their Euro 2016 opener on Monday evening.
Following the defeat, the Belgian shot-stopper conceded that the Euro 2012 finalists had set themselves up better to secure all three points, although dismissed suggestions that the pressure had affected the Red Devils.
"Tactically we were outclassed by Italy," Courtois told RTBF at the final whistle of the game in Lyon. "They were much more organised than us.
"We made these same mistakes in our recent friendlies and we did not track Italy's runners from midfield. The pressure didn't get to us, we were ready. We just made a mistake for the first goal."
The defeat leaves Belgium rooted to the bottom of the group after the opening round of fixtures, with fellow opponents Sweden and Republic of Ireland sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw earlier in the day.
Following the defeat, the Belgian shot-stopper conceded that the Euro 2012 finalists had set themselves up better to secure all three points, although dismissed suggestions that the pressure had affected the Red Devils.
"Tactically we were outclassed by Italy," Courtois told RTBF at the final whistle of the game in Lyon. "They were much more organised than us.
"We made these same mistakes in our recent friendlies and we did not track Italy's runners from midfield. The pressure didn't get to us, we were ready. We just made a mistake for the first goal."
The defeat leaves Belgium rooted to the bottom of the group after the opening round of fixtures, with fellow opponents Sweden and Republic of Ireland sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw earlier in the day.
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