Lukaku admits to Belgian reality check

Belgium were given a reality check by their Euro 2016 loss to Italy, according to Red Devils striker Romelu Lukaku.

Antonio Conte’s Azzurri side won the Group E clash in Lyon on Monday to leave Belgium fighting for a place in the last 16.

Marc Wilmots’ team were viewed as leading contenders to go a long way at Euro 2016 in the run up to the tournament.

Everton striker Lukaku has warned they must heed the warning delivered to them by a resolute Italian side. Despite Belgium enjoying large periods of possession, they were not able to breach Gianluigi Buffon in the Italy goal, with Lukaku wasting Belgium’s best chance to level the game at 1-1 in the second half.

Emanuele Giaccherini had given Italy the lead and Graziano Pelle made sure of the three points with a late second strike. Lukaku admits it was a shock to the system but something Belgium must prove they can get over quickly as they look ahead to facing the Republic of Ireland in Bordeaux on Saturday.

“A lot of people were talking before the tournament about what we can do but we had a reality check against Italy and sometimes that’s good to know you still have a long way to go,” Lukaku said. “We have to win against Ireland now and we have to play good football as well. Ireland has a good team. Defensively they’re very good and up front they have players who can make a difference.”

The Irish picked up a point against Sweden in Paris on Monday, with Martin O’Neill’s side generally playing the better of the football at the Stade de France. Belgium are 1.73 to beat Ireland on Saturday while they are 4.00 to finish bottom of Group E.