"Losing once is not a disaster, but now we need to win"

Belgium's Youri Tielemans told a news conference on Thursday that his side's 1-0 defeat to Slovakia in their European Championship opener was "not a disaster" and said that in their second game against Romania "we need to win" to turn around his team's erratic form.

Tielemans, who did not start Belgium's opener because of muscle problems, played down the significance of the first setback. However, he made it clear that the Belgians can no longer afford to slip up if they are to have any chance of reaching the last 16.

"We know that every game is very important at a European Championship. Losing once is not a disaster, but now we need to win. If we take our chances now, I'm sure we'll beat Romania on Saturday," he told reporters.

"I'm ready, like everyone else. The coach announces his team just before the game. We know what we have to do. We need to win to qualify for the next round. There was a lot of frustration, but that's football. We have a lot of character," he said.

"I'm ready to play the full 90 minutes. That's why no risks were taken during the friendly matches. It was the coach's decision not to start me against Slovakia. I had an adductor injury, but I'm in good shape now," said the Aston Villa midfielder.

Finally, he spoke about Romania and said he doesn't think their opponents are particularly motivated by facing Belgium. "We are concentrating on our own performance. In any case, they will be ready.

"I know Stanciu's qualities. I played with him and I will also be looking forward to a good performance," he concluded.