Belgium vs Russia Match Preview

Classed on FIFA rankings as the number 1 team in the world, Belgium have to win a tournament with the quality that they possess. Roberto Martinez has been in charge long enough, but it seems as though Belgium always falls short. This could be their year with the group of Denmark, Russia and Finland, they will no doubt be favoured to progress, but the opening game is far from easy. Russia will feel they could cause an upset in this group, with a couple of their games to be played in Russia which during the World Cup in 2018, did help them a lot to push on and perform well.

Belgium has world class players with the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne looking to be in some of the best form of their careers, but they have always failed to produce when it comes to their International team. It could be a case that there’s too many individual players which can be a reasonable argument, but the team has shown at times what they are capable of. In qualifying, they show a ruthlessness about them, but in the latter stages of big tournaments they tend to drop off and there’s a real chance for them to end up being known as a great squad that didn’t win anything. Their opening game in Russia could set them up well if they get off to a great start against a team that will be hard to beat and physical. Belgium will no doubt control the match and outplay the Russians, and with the ability of players they have at their disposal, if they’re at it, it could be a long night for Russia’s defence.

Russia offers a lot themselves. They surprised everyone when they took to the World Cup stage in 2018 in their own country, and that could potentially play a part here. To play a game in your own country must be a huge advantage, but they are also a good footballing side. Players like the Miranchuk twins, and Aleksandr Golovin have great ability on the ball, while Artem Dzyuba will be a handful for any defender he goes up against. He brings a huge presence to the side and will be the threat that Belgium try to contain. At the other end for Russia is where things could get disastrous with the talent that Belgium have, particularly going forward, they have an abundance of players that can hurt you. If Russia can get physical and stop the game from flowing, they could have every chance of getting a result here as Belgium can be prone to conceding goals. It’ll be a game that Russia will relish to play in, and they’ll be well up for the fight, which could impact on Belgium if they aren’t given time and space on the ball to play how they want to play. That is how you must play against a side with this quality. Break up the game, and when the chance comes, you look to your target man up top and the players that have the ability to change a game.