Romelu Lukaku claims that Belgium has a mentality problem because they were against a 3-1 defeat against Ukraine in the first stage of their Nations League Promotion-Relegation Play-Off.
Lukaku gave Belgium the lead five minutes before the break and rises high to guide Kevin De Bruyne's free kick in the back of the net for his 86th international goal.
Ukraine gathered after the break and the freshly returned Thibaut Courtois, she could not keep them out, although they drove their happiness, while Oleksandr Zinchenko hit the woodwork with a free kick with the score still 1-0.
Oleksii Hutsuliak immediately made an impact of the bank and threw home from close by in the 66th minute before two goals in the room of five minutes before made Ukraine take a great advantage in the second stage in Genk.
Vladyslav Vanat brought Ukraine forward, with Illia Zabarnyi Zinchenko's Looping Cross shortly thereafter in the back of the net to ensure that Rudi Garcia's first match had finished the lead.
“It's about winning the duels, and we had problems exerting pressure,” said Lukaku. “That was obvious.
“Especially in midfield there was not enough busy. We have not found any solutions and that is a pity. But after that it's just about honor.
“It's a matter of mentality. We have a mental problem. I compare it to the previous generation.
“We have to cultivate a mentality again as a team, because then we will not give goals. That is where it starts, winning duels.”
In general, Belgium disputed 72 duels against Ukraine and won 54.2% of them, while also won 61.1% of their air duels.
Of the 28 duels in the second half, however, Belgium won only 39.3% and only came at the top in half of the tackles that they put in (3/6).
“Technically there is a lot of work to do, but we have to rebuild all the way,” Lukaku added.
“We have a new generation, but we can't lose that way. This is unacceptable. The older players can help with this, but we have to analyze this first.
“Where did it go wrong? In the first half we found a solution and then it became sloppy. We were afraid of the ball. It's hard …
“We have to play a kind of total football to win. That starts with making similarities, but now everything was still too unclear. It was not easy for anyone.”
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