With Doku, Trossard, Denayer, Boyata and Chadli, among others, Roberto Martinez conjured up some surprises in the base-11 in the ultimate group duel with Finland.
“When I saw the line-up coming in, I thought: tens, some strange changes, especially in the back,” says Eddy Snelders.
“There is no real pattern in the back yet. Vertonghen and Alderweireld are a certainty, and now you are starting to shift again.”
“So we have to wait and see what the trio will be in the rest of the tournament. I myself would go for Alderweireld-Vertonghen and centrally for Boyata. Then you have header strength and experience.”
“Vermaelen is an alternative, but he does not like to play centrally in that 3. If Vermaelen plays, it is in Vertonghen’s position.”
“I also found Trossard’s position strange. Right, a bit like a wingback. He had to adapt to that, because that is not his favorite position. I think that was not so nice for him.”
“European Championship debutant Doku started a bit difficult, but he did create danger, especially when he played on the left. He showed himself, even if his last pass was not always good.”
“For the rest, I agree with Roberto Martinez that he let the big 3 – De Bruyne, Witsel and Hazard – play to build up fitness.”
With what feeling can Belgium go to the next round? “We were far above the level of the other three teams in the group. We have a lot of quality in the selection, we were far too strong. We can go a long way. We should have a good feeling about that, no more, not less.”
Switzerland is one of the possible opponents in the 1/8th final, this Sunday in Seville.
Snelders: “They treated us to a heavy blow in the Nations League. I would rather avoid that team, because they have a good whole, are quite persistent and can play football well.”
“A team like Austria in the 1/8th finals is a more rewarding opponent. Anyway, you just have to get through it.”
