Wilmots tells Belgian players not to be naive

Chelsea star Hazard, who is to captain his country at the European Championship, limped out of a behind-closed-doors training session on Friday after 50 minutes, sparking concerns that he could be a doubt for his side’s opener with Italy in Lyon on Monday.

Italy won their qualification group by four points away from second placed Croatia with an unbeaten W7-D3 record; they have lost only three of 20 matches in all formats under Conte and they are W2-D2-L1 through their last five competitive meetings against Belgium.

The forward’s injury is not thought to be serious and he is expected to be available for Belgium’s Group E opener against Italy in Lyon on June 13.

Belgium are fielding a strong attacking team in the tournament, with an in-form Eden Hazard and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco impressing in recent games.

FC’s Craig Burley says the pressure is on Belgium and coach Marc Wilmots at Euro 2016.

“I actually would have preferred to face this opponent in the third match (of the group phase)”, Wilmots said Thursday at Belgium’s training camp in Bordeaux.

Hazard will be hoping to make an impact for his nation in France after a disappointing domestic season for Chelsea. “The whole “golden generation” is really waiting for it. There are a lot of people who believe we can achieve something great”.

Boss Antonio Conte will is set to pick Juventus trio Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini in front of veteran Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

“All the teams will have to work hard to survive this group and I think Italy are even more risky when they have their backs against the wall”.

This is certainly not the Italy that Mario Balotelli powered to the final in 2012. You only have to score one more than your opponents and concede one less.

His best midfielders Marco Verratti and Claudio Marchisio are both ruled out through injury.