World Cup 2022 workforce guides half 21: Belgium | Belgium

This text is a part of the Guardian’s World Cup 2022 Consultants’ Community, a cooperation between among the finest media organisations from the 32 international locations who certified. theguardian.com is working previews from two international locations every day within the run-up to the event kicking off on 20 November.

The plan

The plan isn’t a lot of a plan any extra, extra a case of “it’s what it’s”. Roberto Martínez is just sticking to the identical tactical form he launched six years in the past: the 3-4-3. The personnel has modified, although. Vincent Kompany has gone. Thomas Vermaelen too, with the previous Arsenal defender now one of many assistant managers. As a substitute, when Belgium performed Wales and the Netherlands within the Nations League in September, the again three featured three gamers from the Belgian Jupiler Professional League.

Toby Alderweireld (Antwerp) and Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht) have not too long ago come again residence after taking part in in Qatar and Benfica respectively, whereas the promising Anderlecht teenager Zeno Debast made his debut in September. The issue is that Alderweireld and Vertonghen usually are not on the identical stage as they have been at Tottenham a number of years again.

Belgium misplaced twice towards the Netherlands in 4 months and the previous, shaky defence is the primary fear. The world-class goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois can’t cease all of the assaults on his personal. The opposite choices on the again aren’t too encouraging both. Jason Denayer has not helped himself by rejecting a number of gives after leaving Lyon in the summertime. He educated on his personal for a number of months earlier than signing for Shabab Al Ahli in Dubai in October.

Up entrance, Romelu Lukaku had a foul season at Chelsea then injured himself upon returning to Internazionale. He solely obtained again to full health in October however has reportedly aggravated it once more. Eden Hazard is lastly injury-free at Actual Madrid after three years of distress, however just isn’t getting many minutes.

“Eden continues to be of nice worth for Belgium,” Martínez stated of his captain. “The query is whether or not he can play 90 minutes and whether or not he can deal with seven matches in a brief time frame. Nobody is trying away from that actuality. Eden hasn’t performed at a relentless stage for a very long time and that has penalties. However he confirmed his value over the last worldwide break.”

Hazard nonetheless will get the nod with Leandro Trossard used as a brilliant sub. In any other case Belgium rely closely on Courtois and Kevin De Bruyne, their final remaining world-class gamers.

The coach

It’s not but recognized who will succeed Roberto Martínez after the World Cup nor, actually, who’s appointing the supervisor. Martínez at the moment combines the job of technical director and nationwide workforce coach on the Belgian FA however his contract is working out on the finish of the 12 months – will he choose his personal successor? After six years the persistence of the Belgian public is slowly working out, though what occurs in Qatar will outline his legacy. Martínez led Belgium to their finest lead to a World Cup, the third place in Russia in 2018, however he has not received a trophy and Euro 2020 was a disappointment as Belgium have been knocked out by Italy within the quarter-finals. It might be that the golden era will for ever be referred to as the bronze era. Martínez is getting increasingly criticism for sticking to his untouchables; the followers anticipate to see extra experimentation and new faces. Even his “Mr Brightside” manner in interviews and press conferences is beginning to frustrate some supporters. He has misplaced quite a lot of credit score.

Star participant

Throughout a latest recreation towards the Netherlands Kevin De Bruyne obtained pissed off. At Manchester Metropolis he’s taking part in with the perfect on the planet. With Belgium that’s a factor of the previous. With Hazard and Lukaku typically lacking, De Bruyne has established himself much more because the chief on the pitch: the person who dictates every part. Belgium depend on his brilliance. At Euro 2020 De Bruyne suffered an ankle damage within the last-16 win towards Portugal however nonetheless performed – with injections – within the quarter-final. It exhibits his dedication to the nationwide workforce. Within the final 10 aggressive video games he has been concerned in eight out of 18 objectives whereas taking part in as a roaming No 10 however a few of his finest soccer has come as a box-to-box midfielder.

Unsung hero

In what can be Martínez’s most popular lineup there’s probably not an unsung hero however, when Lukaku is lacking, Belgium can flip to Michy Batshuayi. Inconsistent at membership stage for a few years whereas he was loaned out again and again by Chelsea, he’s dependable for Belgium. Lukaku has performed just one worldwide recreation over the previous 12 months whereas Batshuayi delivered in 4 of the previous eight video games and his total document stands at 26 objectives in 47 worldwide appearances. Not a foul tally. His goalscoring is healthier than his total involvement in video games however that’s generally sufficient towards lesser opponents. A brilliant sub.

Possible lineup

Qatar stance

Earlier than the World Cup qualifier towards Belarus in March 2021 a second-string Belgian workforce walked out in shirts adorned with the slogan: “Soccer helps change”, echoing the message of the Netherlands workforce across the identical time. The Belgian FA additionally joined forces with their German, Dutch, Norwegian and Swedish counterparts, saying: “We actively get up towards racism and usually are not ignoring the issues in Qatar. We demand stronger motion to enhance working situations and human rights.” In September the Belgian FA CEO, Peter Bossaert, stated: “Belgium remorse that Qatar received the World Cup bid” – and they’ll be part of England and different international locations within the One Love marketing campaign, with the captain sporting a rainbow-coloured armband.

Nationwide anthem

For king, for freedom and for regulation! The Belgium nationwide anthem is named La Brabançonne and, in response to legend, the track was written in 1830 throughout the Belgian revolution. It has been attributed to a younger revolutionary referred to as Jenneval, a French actor working in Belgium, who apparently learn the lyrics throughout a gathering on the Aigle d’Or cafe in Brussels. The music is written by François van Campenhout and is predicated on a French track referred to as L’Air des Lanciers Polonais. The lyrics have been modified in 1860 to hail the dominion and the independence from the Netherlands in 1830. They exist within the three official languages (French, Dutch, German) however the anthem just isn’t taught in class and lots of Belgians have no idea the phrases. In reality, the politician Yves Leterme as soon as unintentionally started to sing La Marseillaise, the French nationwide anthem, when requested in regards to the lyrics of the Belgian one.

All-time cult hero

When Ronaldo is requested to call his finest teammates, he sometimes provides Luc Nilis as a solution. “We performed collectively at PSV,” the Brazilian as soon as stated. “He at all times gave me nice assists. Each time, each match. Greater than [Zinedine] Zidane. At any time when he got here up towards the goalkeeper he was by no means egocentric and made positive I scored. He was extremely beneficiant.” Nilis scored good objectives whereas taking part in within the Netherlands however his expertise by no means obtained totally recognised in Belgium, partly as he scored solely 10 objectives in 56 video games for the nationwide workforce. At membership stage he scored over 300. His profession ended when he suffered a double fracture of his proper shin in his third league recreation for Aston Villa and, because the damage obtained contaminated, there have been even fears he could lose a leg. Nilis, who’s liked by hardcore soccer followers in Belgium, went by some darkish instances after the damage however is now managing within the decrease leagues.

Kristof Terreur writes for HLN. Comply with him here on Twitter.