With just a few days to the first match of the group stages for Italy in Lyon, let’s take a look at gli Azzurri’s main competitor in Group E: Belgium.
To start things off, let’s analyze the goalkeepers that Marc Wilmots has called into this roster. The Belgian number one is the 24-year-old Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He is capable of making great saves and can stretch a long way across the goal thanks to his height and his incredible reflexes. Simon Mignolet and Jean François Gillet have also traveled to France with the side. The Liverpool goalkeeper proved to be a very good goalkeeper during the second part of the 2015/16 season, and played particularly well in the UEFA Europa League final against Sevilla. Gillet, on the other hand, will likely be an unused sub by the Red Devils manager despite his good performances for KV Mechelen (Belgian Pro League) this year.
Certainly the goal is safe with these guys, but let’s take a look at their defense. Vincent Kompany is unlucky to miss the tournament through injury and won’t take part in the latest edition of the Euros. Barcelona’s center-back Thomas Vermaelen is in doubt to start as well. However, Wilmots has a more than decent replacement in the form of Jan Vertonghen. He was one of the best defenders in the Premier League last season, alongside his club-mate Toby Alderweireld, who was awarded the best EPL defender in 2016. Thomas Meunier, Christian Kabasele, Jesan Denayer, Jordan Lukaku and Laurent Ciman complete the defensive ranks of the Belgian national team. The side’s starting defense (Vermaelen and Meunier in the middle, Alderweireld as right-back and Vertonghen as left-back) is pretty strong and the Azzurri will find space hard to come by, however, their substitutes could make Antonio Conte’s attackers life easier.
We can undoubtedly say that the middle third of Belgium is one of the strongest and most complete midfield ranks of the competition. Red Devils and Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan proved during the season that he can act as a defensive midfielder and a great goal-scorer when he’s in the attacking third. His impressive form in front of goal saw him find the back of the net 6 times during the 2015/16 season with the giallorossi. He also put in an immense defensive shift in the middle of the pitch. Axel Witsel, by contrast, was certainly one of the most sought after players during the last summer transfer window. His good play with Zenit St. Petersburg was rewarded with a call-up by Wilmots. Although the Belgian didn’t play regularly with the Russian outfit, Witsel managed to score four goals in 26 appearances in all competitions showing that he is a really complete midfielder and has an eye for goal.
We must also talk about Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne. 16 goals in 41 matches is an impressive tally for any attacking midfielder. De Bruyne stepped up in the Champions League and scored the goal that sent Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. Marouane Fellaini didn’t have the best of seasons making just 21 appearances and scoring two goals. The Belgian international never started a game all season. Dries Mertens had a good season for Napoli, registering 11 goals in 40 appearances this year, and assisted Gonzalo Higuain’s historic 36th goal of the season. (Higuaìn 36th Goal ) Yannick Ferreira Carrasco also made the team and is coming off a high following his goal in the Champions League final. The Atletico man finished the season with 5 goals in 29 matches. Lastly, Moussa Dembélé is coming off a great season with Tottenham where he dominated play from deep regularly. Not to mention he was able to add a further four goals from the midfield.
Let’s finish with the strongest point of this side: Belgium’s attack. 5 deadly strikers, 4 coming from the English Premier League and one from Olympique Marseille. The first guy of the Red Devil’s attacking ranks that we will look at is Everton’s Romelu Lukaku. He is the youngest man to score more than 50 goals in the Premier League and the first Everton player to score 8 times in a row since 1954. The former Chelsea man has scored 25 goals in 46 matches this year, which are impressive numbers for any striker. He is certainly one the most dangerous men of this Belgium attack.
Last year’s Premier League winner and EPL player of the year Eden Hazard, didn’t have the best of seasons with Chelsea scoring just 6 goals in 41 appearances. However, his last goal was fundamental for Leicester City to win the title. (Equalizer against Tottenham) He is now ready to turn the page at the upcoming Euros and bring it for his country. Matteo Darmian and Andrea Barzagli will have a difficult task with this speed, finishing and abundance of skill.
We can undoubtedly say that Michy Batshuayi was one of the few positive aspects Marseille’s poor season. He was able to score 23 goals in 50 matches and demonstrated his speed, his agility and his sense of goal. Capable of great dribbling and deadly shots, the Belgian number 22 could be their secret weapon for these Euros. Liverpool’s Divock Origi had 10 goals this season in 33 appearances. His semi-final performances in the Europa Leauge are certainly the highlight of his season after scoring an equalizer in the first leg and the 4-3 winner at Anfield. Christian Benteke, on the other hand, had a poor season for Liverpool after his breakout year at Aston Villa. The Liverpool man found the back of the net 10 times in 42 matches.
Looking at this roster, we can say that Belgium’s attack is the the strongest point of their team, alongside the goalkeepers. As written before, however, the replacements for the defense may not be as good as the starting four men. Antonio Conte’s Azzurri will have some hard work to do on Monday against a Belgian juggernaut who are one of the favorites to win the European title. They are a young and incredibly talented team who proved at the 2014 World Cup that they’re capable of causing the biggest teams problems.
Will the nazionale emerge victorious on Monday? We’ll see shortly.
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