Team Sheet: Belgium

Written by Soravit Sophastienphong

These notes were gathered in preparation for our panel discussion of the favorites and dark horses for this year’s World Cup in Russia.

  • Manager: Roberto Martinez, assisted by Thierry Henry
    • 17 games managed, 12W, 4D, 1L
  • 3rd in FIFA rankings
  • Winners of Group H in WC qualifiers
    • Won 9, drew 1
    • Scored 43 goals
  • 12 WC Appearances to date
  • Reached semifinals in 1986, losing to champions Argentina
  • Last 8 WC goals came in 70 minutes or after
  • Group G
    • Panama, Tunisia, England
  • Won group with Algeria, Russia, and South Korea in 2014
    • Knocked out 1-0 in QF by Argentina (Higuain)
  • Second in group with Italy, Belgium, Ireland, and Sweden in 2016 with 6 points
    • Knocked out 3-1 by Wales in QF
  • Latest friendly: 4-0 Saudi Arabia
  • Key match: 3-3 Mexico
    • Lack of defensive organization
    • 5 defenders sat deep, 5 defenders vs 7 attackers
    • De Bruyne criticized tactical system
    • Too many players who want the ball and dribble → lack of possession
  • Key Players
    • Kevin De Bruyne
    • Radja Nainggolan
    • Romelu Lukaku
      • Belgium’s top goalscorer
    • Eden Hazard
    • Vincent Kompany

References:

Belgium at the FIFA World Cup. (2018, February 12). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Belgium_at_the_FIFA_World_Cup&oldid=825342321

Belgium at the UEFA European Championship. (2017, November 27). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Belgium_at_the_UEFA_European_Championship&oldid=812399944

Belgium’s Latest 28-Man Squad Is So Good It’s Actually Scary. (2018, March 16). Retrieved April 29, 2018, from http://www.sportbible.com/football/news-best-xi-belgiums-latest-28-man-squad-is-so-good-its-actually-scary-20180316

Marsden, R. (n.d.). Germany, Brazil and Belgium Top Updated 2018 Men’s FIFA Rankings. Retrieved April 29, 2018, from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2770109-germany-brazil-and-belgium-top-updated-2018-mens-fifa-rankings

sport, G. (2017, December 1). World Cup 2018: team-by-team guide to all 32 countries. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/dec/01/world-cup-2018-team-by-team-guide

World Cup 2018: Belgium team profile. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2018, from http://www.skysports.com/football/news/12098/11300029/world-cup-2018-belgium-team-profile