After being handed down a reality check by Italy, Belgium go into this Group E encounter in Euro 2016 against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday fully knowing that a football match is not played on paper but on the pitch. The star-studded Red Devils team put up a meek show against a tactically disciplined Italy as they lost 2-0 in the first match.
It is a do-or-die fixture for Belgium where a loss could send the highest ranked side in the competition packing their bags for home.
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Ireland, on the other hand, are aware that they are weakest on paper in this Group of Death and will be hoping to pull out a rabbit from the hat and make it into the knockout stages.
Though Ireland let a lead slip against Sweden in the first match, they put up a good show against Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his men. The jovial spirit of the Irish crowd has been a refreshing relief in the tournament overshadowed by fan violence.
Ireland will be looking to notch up full points in Bordeaux against a Belgium side teeming with individual talent but are yet to perform on the European stage.
We take a look at five players who could make a difference in this encounter:
1) Axel Witsel
The midfielder did his job against Italy and was one of the few positives for Belgium. He played a full 90 minutes and helped his side retain possession and break up play, though he didn’t offer anything more.
The Tottenham and Everton target is a blend of physique and technique and his performance in the next match against Ireland will be crucial for Belgium.
With Belgium set to see most of the ball during the match, his job will be to stop the counter attacks from occurring. His role on the attacking front is also important as he will be responsible for the transition from defence to attack for the Red Devils. Distribution is key and will look to release the ball early to Eden Hazard or Kevin De Bruyne to work their magic.
He’ll also have to keep a keen eye on Shane Long who is expected to make the darting runs infield as long balls are directed towards him to pounce upon.
2) Seamus Coleman
The Evertonian’s defensive abilities will be tested on Saturday. The full-back who had his moments in the attack in the last match against Sweden will have his hands full against Eden Hazard on Ireland’s right flank.
Against Sweden, he put up an excellent assist for Wes Hoolahan but ventured forward less compared to what how often he does for Everton.
Seamus Coleman will need to guard his home safely and keep away Hazard as much as he can. He will need to be quick on his feet and prevent the darting runs of the Belgian magician.
If and when he gets a chance to venture forward, his sole target would be Shane Long who will be waiting to pounce upon any ball towards him. Coleman will have his hands full in the game against Belgium on Saturday and his performance will say whether Ireland has a chance of going through to the knockout rounds
3) Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois makes the list solely because Belgium have had to depend on him time and again to produce the saves when called upon. Courtois doesn’t have the strongest defence in the competition and with Thomas Vermaelen not getting any younger, he has often had to go one-on-one with opponent attackers.
The Chelsea man made some impeccable stops in the previous match against Sweden out of which the Pelle header early in the second half was noteworthy. However, he couldn’t help his side win as the Belgium attackers put up an impotent display.
Courtois hasn’t had the best of seasons for Chelsea and will be looking to prove that he is one of the best around. His duty will be to organise his defence and have a commanding presence in the penalty box against the aerial threat of the Irish.
4) Shane Long
Shane Long possesses immense attacking threat to the Belgium defence. Smart, agile and strong in the air, the Southampton man has been identified as Ireland’s main man by Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen.
In the last match against Sweden, he was a constant nuisance to the Swede centre-backs. Though he worked hard, he failed to make an impact.
With Ireland set to play with the long ball tactic, Long’s presence up front will be an asset for the Irish. His job will be to make those clever runs between the Belgian centre-backs Toby Alderweireld and Thomas Vermaelen, take advantage of Alderweireld’s weakness in the air and try to head every ball that comes his way. That way, Long will be able to test Courtois more often and if he gets lucky, might even score a goal.
With three teams possibly going through to the knockout stages, Long will hope to score the winner like he did against Germany in the Qualifiers to keep Ireland’s hope alive.
5) Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard has had a season to forget. Though he showed some sparks of his brilliance towards the end of the season, notably against Liverpool with that brilliant solo goal, Hazard has yet to live up to his expectations on the international stage.
The Euros is sort of a Litmus Test for Hazard who will try to impress his new boss Antonio Conte at Chelsea and finally show up for the Red Devils.
Eden Hazard had a decent first match against Italy. Though he started slow, he came to life in the second half- going past defenders and winning free kicks. But the equaliser eluded him which saw Belgium finish on the losing side.
The Belgium captain is, however, the key to the Red Devils’ fortunes on Saturday. He can change the game in a moment of brilliance and his job will be to do what he does best- to go past defenders and find a man waiting for the pass or shoot himself.
If he manages to keep the attack-minded Seamus Coleman busy enough on the left flank, the Ireland defender is sure to make a mistake for Hazard to pounce upon.
More importantly, Belgium have to gel as a team if they want to go far in this competition and Hazard could well be the glue that ties them together.
