Euro 2016 team profile: Belgium

Sport360 staff 14:12 07/06/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Euro 2016 represents a huge opportunity for the Belgians as the most talented group of players the country has ever produced looks to translate their pedigree on the international stage. Much hype surrounded this golden generation – a phrase the English will know all too well can be burdensome – when they ended their 12-year absence from a major tournament in Brazil two years ago but high expectations proved misguided. The team has settled since then and many of that group are now in their mid, rather than early, twenties with two more years worth of experience behind them.

    The likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku represent the immense talent in this group of players in an attacking sense. Elsewhere, Mousa Dembele, Radja Nainggolan, Toby Alderweireld and Thibaut Courtois highlight the fact the team is oozing quality.

    The loss of Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Lombaerts is a huge blow but Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen have enjoyed excellent seasons and now need to show they can be inspirational as the team’s defensive leaders.

    Belgium’s squad remains largely youthful and there is still time for this abundance of world-class players to claim major international glory. But should they fail in France, coach Marc Wilmots will be running out of chances. Wilmots has been involved with the Belgium set-up since 2009, when he was assistant before taking over the reins as head coach in 2014. And as his charges continue to impress across Europe and some of the biggest clubs in the world, the nation is growing increasingly frustrated this success hasn’t translated into the national team under him.

    A good tournament could be the making of Wilmots, a bad one, the end of his reign.

    STRENGTHS

    Without a doubt, this Belgian side’s greatest  strength is in attack. Hazard, Lukaku, Michy Batshuayi, Christian Benteke, Yannick Carrasco, Dries Mertens and Divock Origi are some remarkable options. How Wilmots utilizes these players will shape how successful Belgium end up being in thistournament.

    WEAKNESSES

    Despite a qualification period that they ultimately breezed, there is still concern this team cannot put all the pieces of the jigsaw together. It is still to be seen what Wilmots’ best team and tactics are, and a lack of organization threatens to limit an almost limitless bunch of players. Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard’s poor seasons for Chelsea must also be a concern.

    STAR MAN – KEVIN DE BRUYNE

    Could have played for Burundi had he taken up the option of playing for the country of his mother’s birth. At just 24, De Bruyne has already seen clubs spend over £80m (Dh424m) on his signature, while his worth to Manchester City was highlighted by their fall from the top of the table when he was injured in the middle of the season – the midfield maestro’s spell away from the team coinciding  with their struggle to hold on to a top-four place. That break may end up being Belgium’s saving grace, with his legs that bit fresher for their assault on Euro 2016 glory.

    VERDICT

    The Belgians should emerge safely from their group. They have a genuine chance of going deep in the tournament, even if they don’t hit top gear. But if they do hit their stride, then the sky’s the limit for them.

    Recommended