17 June 2024 , 19:04
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Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco refused to point the finger at Romelu Lukaku and Jeremy Doku after his side's dismal defeat to Slovakia in Frankfurt.
Doku's error helped Slovakia's Ivan Schranz score the only goal of the game in the seventh minute, with the Manchester City winger's careless ball across his penalty area intercepted before Schranz tucked home.
Belgium forward Lukaku had two goals disallowed by VAR in the second period, including a late strike which was ruled out for a handball from Belgian substitute Lois Openda, but he also missed two more presentable opportunities to score in each half of the match.
When asked about Lukaku's form in front of goal, Tedesco said: "We’re very honest, he’s been playing for Belgium for a long time and knows very well how to score.
"Tonight he did score goals, and ultimately they didn't count, but if he needs anything I’m here for him."
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On Doku, who turned in a lively display on the right of the attack before being let down by his finishing, he said: "Of course it (the error) hurts. It hurts for him, it hurts for me, because he is not deserving of that. But it's part of the game.
Lukaku had two goals disallowed and missed four presentable chances (AFP via Getty Images)"In football you will not score many goals without errors, it's part of the game and can happen. Also Slovakia had many errors tonight. It's no problem, this error. This is just football."
Tedesco also refused to point the finger of blame at VAR for the defeat, with new technology used to determine that Tedesco had handled the ball in the run-up to Lukaku's second disallowed strike.
"It's tough to speak for me now, If we would have won I would tell you a little bit more of my opinion," he said. "But right now we lost and I want to be a fair loser that's why I don't think we should speak about the referee and VAR.
"We trust those guys, and if they decided that it is handball and they whistle, that's it."