Statement 1: this World Cup is the last chance for the “Golden Generation”
Divine Aster: “I think the chances are small that guys like Mertens, Vertonghen, Alderweireld and maybe also Witsel will be there at the upcoming European Championship. But there is still plenty of time for all those others to shine.”
“Kevin De Bruyne – the jewel in our crown – will be 32-33 years old by then. So that is still possible. Especially when you see what level he still reaches.”
Peter Vandenbempt: “Yes, but that will be a team with a lot of other guys, who no longer belong to that ‘Golden Generation’. A new generation can do better, that’s something else.”
Philip Joos: “I have long thought that after this generation it would be a return to the desert. But now I have the feeling that something has been set in motion. Although I don’t see a second De Bruyne or a Kompany yet. But there are a number of boys coming, just think of a Lavia or Onana.”
Divine Aster: “I don’t think we will necessarily be worse at the next European Championship than we are now.”
Philip Joos: “It certainly does not have to be over after this World Cup.”
Statement 2: the Devils lack determination and drive to win a prize
Peter Vandenbempt: “It I don’t care is the big problem with this team. That is ingrained and is reinforced by the way the national coach deals with this generation.”
“In the two games against the Netherlands I was musing all the time: what would it have been like if this generation had been allowed to work with the other coach (Louis van Gaal, ed) for the past 10 years?”
Philip Joos: “In the Netherlands you get the feeling that they have a scenario ready there that is thick as a fist. Van Gaal has a plan B, C, D, … He has ideas. I don’t have that feeling with us. Our scenario is still mainly pampering Eden Hazard.”
Statement 3: Martinez will never start with Onana and Trossard
Philip Joos: “It is so obvious that we have to start with Onana, but I wonder if the national coach also feels the same way.”
Peter Vandenbempt: “He has already, so to speak, rejuvenated in defense, by leaving Boyata and Denayer at home. Just because it really couldn’t be any other way. If those two were just a little bit in shape, they would have been there.”
Philip Joos: “Why do we have to look for someone besides Witsel anyway? Why can’t it be Onana-Tielemans? Or Onana-Dendoncker? For years I have not understood why Witsel is still undisputed.”
“Witsel is great at playing football out of trouble. You can always lose the ball to him, he is a safe. But we miss a defensive midfielder who also provides drive. I saw Palhinha at work at Fulham. That is ab- normal. We’ve been missing that type for years.”
“The teams that have energy and power, in my opinion, will go far at this World Cup.”
“There are so many opportunities for our midfield, but you have to become more dynamic as a national team. I think that is the big problem with the Red Devils.”
Divine Aster: “I also fear that Leandro Trossard will be the plan B. Because Hazard has to start for the national coach.”
Peter Vandenbempt: “Martinez has his own interpretation of Hazard’s performance. I see a player who can no longer knock out a man, no longer has acceleration. But someone who always plays wide and backwards.”
“The game against Egypt will already make a lot clear (about the preference for Hazard or Trossard). But actually we already know.”
Divine Aster: “The advantage of Trossard is that he is very flexible. He plays in 3 different positions at Brighton.”
Philip Joos: “His qualities are very similar to Hazard, but if Lukaku is injured, you could play with Hazard and Trossard. But that will not happen either.”
Peter Vandenbempt: “Trossard has everything Hazard doesn’t have at the moment: form and confidence.”
Philip Joos: “If you still don’t put it, then you actually say to Trossard: intrinsically I don’t think you’re good enough. That’s already in Trossard’s head.”
Statement 4: Defense will also be Belgium’s problem child in Qatar
Peter Vandenbempt: “Since the European Championship, the Red Devils have kept a clean sheet 4 times in 16 games. Despite the fact that we have the best goalkeeper in the world. Everyone scores against the Belgians. That is a bit of a problem.”
“That is not only the problem of the defenders, but of the defensive organization.”
“There is also the question: how fit is Vertonghen still? Even at Anderlecht he is kept aside after 2 matches. Now he also has a small muscle injury. Well.”
Philip Joos: “Vertonghen and Alderweireld will play anyway. Those are two footballing defenders and that is to the disadvantage of Debast, because he is too. You need someone next to him who brings energy, such as Faes, Théate or Dendoncker.”
“Vertonghen and Alderweireld are a bit slower, turn a bit more difficult, take a card a bit more often,… That’s nature.”
Statement 5: the Belgians walk whistling through their group
Peter Vandenbempt: “The group stage will be more difficult than 4 years ago. Canada is not Panama. It is not a world team, but it is better than Panama. And Morocco is much better than Tunisia. And Croatia is perhaps better than England.”
“Those Canadians have already had quite a few training camps, that is a team. They will fly in. If you hit them as a third country, they may have already lost twice and the balloon will deflate. But if you don’t wake up now I’d better watch out.”
Divine Aster: “If Belgium effectively misses the sacred fire, then with these opponents they will immediately feel that it is necessary. That is ideal.”
Peter Vandenbempt: “A Belgian team at a high level, they simply beat Canada.”
Divine Aster: “In Croatia, time has weakened the team a bit, although there is still a strong backbone with Kovacic, Brozovic and Modric.”
“With Morocco, the sacred fire burns very hard, even if their central defense is a problem. I don’t think Croatia will necessarily be second in the group.”
Philip Joos: “No, maybe even first (laughs). But we really don’t have to be afraid, you know. We survive that group. Anyway.”
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