Belgium might be ranked No.2 in the world but they don’t go into Euro 2016 as one of the favourites. Despite having an impressive squad that is packed with plenty of grit and flair, they are dark horses at best.
While the scenario is pretty similar to the 2014 World Cup where many expected them to impress only for them to disappoint and crash out, Marc Wilmots will be hoping that lightning does not strike twice for the Red Devils.
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So who will make the starting XI and who will miss out? Here is the probable starting 11 for the Red Devils:
Goalkeeper – Thibaut Courtois
While it is true that Thibaut Courtois didn't have the greatest season for Chelsea in 2015/16, part of it was down to his injuries and the other can just be attributed to him being off colour, which for a goalkeeper who just last month turned 24 is understandable.
Still, there can be little doubt that the Belgian shot-stopper isn't one of the best in the business and one slightly off the boil season isn't going to change that. Only four teams conceded fewer goals than Belgium in the qualifying stage for Euro 2016 and if they are to make waves in the tournament, they will be heavily reliant on their keeper to make critical interventions.
Defenders:
One of the reasons why Tottenham came close to winning their maiden Premier League title was because of their defence. Key to that was Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, who formed an impressive pairing at the heart of the Spurs defence, which was rock solid throughout the season.
While the loss of Vincent Kompany would have been a major blow for the Red Devils, the presence of a central defensive pairing with such a great understanding is something that will soften the blow greatly. In fact, the Manchester City captain's injury might be a blessing in disguise as it allows the coach to play both Alderweireld and Vertonghen at centre back, where they are most effective instead of at full back.
Speaking of full backs, the right back slot will go to Jason Denayer. While it is true that the 20-year-old is a centre back by trade, he has played on the right for both his club Galatasaray and country in the last 12 months. Even in the friendlies leading up to the Euros, he has played on the right and that is likely to be his starting position in Belgium's opener.
Who takes the left back slot will be a question of youth or experience as the two candidates for the slot are Jordan Lukaku and Thomas Vermaelen. While the 21-year-old Lukaku is the future, despite his lack of regular appearances for Barcelona, Vermaelen might be the favourite to start against Italy owing to his experience and the coach's recent comments about Lukaku still needing to iron out certain flaws from his play.
Central midfielders:
The engine room of the Belgian side will be their central midfield which is packed with plenty of energy, grit and determination. Radja Nainggolan and Axel Witsel will form the two-punch combo that will look to out-run, out-pass and out-fight the opposing midfields and take the tournament by storm.
Nainggolan might the older of the duo but it will be Witsel who will look to provide the composure and experience in central midfield. As the defensive midfielder, who sits deep, the Zenit Saint Petersburg midfielder will look to orchestrate attacks from deep and try to cut out attacks before they get to a solid defence that is behind him.
The 28-year-old from Roma has tempered his aggression of late and is no longer accumulating anywhere near the amount of cards that he used to previously and will function as the side’s box-to-box midfielder who concentrates primarily on defence but is also capable of making late runs into the box and scoring crucial goals.
Attacking midfielders:
On the right will be Dries Mertens. While it is true that Yannick Ferreira Carrasco has actually had a better season than the Napoli winger, the former’s experience and the fact that Mertens actually prefers playing on the right, whereas Carrasco likes to play on the left wing means he is likely to get the nod.
Playing through the middle and acting as the central attacking midfielder will be Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne. Although Belgium managed 24 goals in qualifying only four came from their strikers. In fact, 10 of them came courtesy of Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne, who both scored five goals and he will certainly be looking to continue that as he orchestrates the attack for the Red Devils.
Starting on the left but drifting inwards and being versatile will be Chelsea’s Eden Hazard. While it is true that the Belgian winger had a season to forget with Chelsea last year, he finished it strongly and was one of Belgium’s best players in qualifying. He will be looking to continue that good form and create enough chances for the Red Devils to not just get past the group stage but also travel far into the tournament.
Forward and formation:
If there is one area where Belgium are blessed with plenty of options, it us up front. Although they primarily play just a solitary striker up front, they have options should they decide to change things around. Although Divock Origi and Michy Batshuayi have been in good form for their respective clubs and have the experienced Christian Benteke to call on as well, it will be Romelu Lukaku, who looks set to lead the line for Belgium.
The Evertonian striker's future at the club may not be secure but he is first-choice for his country and even if Wilmots goes for a two-man attack, he will be the central point of attack.
Belgium will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Witsel sitting deep and Nainggolan going forward and at times making it a 4-1-4-1 formation. While Mertens is likely to start ahead of Carrasco, things could be completely different if Wilmots decides to go with a two-man attack, in which case, only Hazard and De Bruyne will feature with Lukaku and Benteke or Origi up front.
