Roberto Martinez Optimistic About Belgium’s EURO 2020 Chances
Roberto Martinez believes Belgium are favourites to win the 2020 European Championships but reckons it will not be easy to hoist a first ever major international title.
The Red Devils rounded off their qualifying campaign with a resounding 6-1 win over Cyprus at home on Tuesday.
The result meant Belgium joined Italy as the only two countries to win all their qualifying games, scoring 40 goals in the process and conceding just three.
With an abundant pool of talent to choose from, Belgium are regarded by many as genuine contenders to win EURO 2020, which will be hosted by various cities across Europe for the first time.
Martinez’s men finished third at last summer’s FIFA World Cup and with some of Europe’s most in-form players at their disposal including Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Dries Mertens, Belgium have a real chance of breaking their international duck.
Martinez is aware of the scale of job on their hands next summer but is optimistic of Belgium’s chances.
"Whether we can win the European Championship, that is something that we have in our hands," the former Everton manager said.
"We need to get even better and then we see if we can play another great tournament.
"We have set the standard at the World Cup [finishing third] and we are continuing to develop into a team with a great deal of togetherness. And the fans are also important.
"We now have seven months to become as good as possible. This team deserves to win the European Championship but, in football, it's not that simple."
Reflecting on qualifying, he added: "I think everyone just worked really well this year. The players know what to do and they do it with an incredible focus.
"Scoring six times and then playing again in this way is very good."
