Belgium and England wind-up their World Cup 2018 commitments on Saturday in World Cup 2018’s third-place play-off at Saint Petersburg Stadium.
Here, we review how head coaches Roberto Martinez and Gareth Southgate have fared in Russia:
SQUAD SELECTION
Southgate’s faith in international rookies such as Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford and Jesse Lingard was fully justified by results.
But he may rue a decision not to gamble on playmaker Adam Lallana’s fitness. A lack of creativity from open play hamstrung England.
The big call by Martinez pre-tournament resolved around centre midfielder Radja Nainggolan.
Hugely talented but combustible, the Spaniard’s brave call to omit the new Internazionale signing has been rewarded by the harmony that defines this usually fragmented squad.
The decision not to include Jordan Lukaku, however, who would have been the only recognised left-back in the squad, is troubling given that Yannick Carrasco etc were severely strained defensively.
Martinez: 8/10
Southgate: 8/10
TACTICS
Martinez’s 3-5-2 formation was unpopular among a number of his players before the tournament and required refinement to a 4-3-3 in the later rounds to gain success.
The deployment of Kevin De Bruyne further up the pitch gained belated reward in the quarter-finals. But a lack of synchronicity then hurt the team against France.
Southgate’s 3-5-2 shape largely hid inherent weaknesses in defence and provided a more coherent structure than the 4-2-3-1 utilised in qualifying.
When compared to the disorganisation that bedevilled England under confused predecessor Roy Hodgson, this was a true success.
Martinez: 7/10
Southgate: 8/10
SUBSTITUTIONS
If things needed to change for Belgium, then Martinez largely came up trumps.
Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli scored goals off the bench in the rousing 3-2 comeback win against Japan during the round of 16. Dries Mertens then provided a better outlet than the latter in defeat to France in the semi-finals.
The only true blotch on Southgate’s record in Russia was his use of substitutions.
The early removal of Raheem Sterling against Croatia in the semi-finals was perplexing. Eric Dier might have won the penalty shootout for England v Colombia in the round of 16, but his performance was woeful.
Martinez: 9/10
Southgate: 5/10
OVERALL
