“This was a difficult away game, but we still managed to silence 50,000 Polish fans,” concludes Toby Alderweireld.
The defender also gives himself and his defense a few pats on the back. “We took very good care of the build-up in the back. We took risks, but we did deliver quality. Only they should have played it better in the front. That’s why we took those risks.”
“I know there have been questions around me too, since I played in Qatar. But I worked very hard and today I showed that I can still handle the level.”
“I really like that position in the back. I have played there twice now and we have won twice, that helps.”
Should the defense at the World Cup consist of the trio Vertonghen-Alderweireld-Dendoncker? “That is of course up to the trainer”, Alderweireld is wary. “But I feel comfortable with those two next to me. I have known Jan for a long time and Leander has shown that he can handle that position well.”
Alderweireld has a good feeling about the four-part in the Nations League. “We were hit hard in the first match against the Netherlands, but after that we showed willpower and resilience.”
Youri Tielemans also thought that the Belgians could have finished it earlier with a little more efficiency. “But on the positive side, we were able to hold onto the lead this time.”
“There have never been any doubts in the group. I have not doubted myself with the Red Devils. I am in any case satisfied with my latest performance. And the same ambition still lives in the group.”
“I think that defeat against the Netherlands was ‘a good defeat’. That made us realize that we need intensity in our game to deliver this kind of performance. Hopefully it will remain a one-off.”
