Belgium’s Wilmots ready for ‘warriors’ Italy
Wilmots said all players were fit, including defender Thomas Vermaelen, who had been doubtful earlier in the week.
Belgium’s much-heralded “golden generation” against Italy, runners-up at Euro 2012, is arguably the most mouth-watering match of the group stage.
“Once we’d given him time to recover, the last few training sessions we haven’t seen any problems with him in terms of his ability to play 90 minutes”. It will be Belgium’s star-studded attack against Italy’s dogged defence and Marouane Fellaini says his team have the weapons to make a winning start to Euro 2016 tomorrow.
The dormant spectre of hooliganism re-emerged as the tournament kicked off in France this week, with Marseille particularly badly affected, as Russian and English fans clashed before their teams’ 1-1 draw at Stade Velodrome on Saturday. “And at the back they’ve got a lot of experienced defenders who play for top clubs”.
He also had to wait for the late arrival of the Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid players in the squad following their participation in the Champions League final.
Wilmots, whose managerial record is mixed, has been criticised for putting substance ahead of style with a widespread belief that the team should be more attractive given the flair at his disposal.
The manager’s concerns about his full-back options are understandable, but in an effort to avoid vulnerabilities out wide he risks fragilities right across the back four.
Graziano Pelle, meantime, trades 11/5 to score anytime for Italy having netted 17 goals in 41 games for club and country this season.
The lack of creativity and scoring potential continues in midfield, where Daniele De Rossi was by far the team’s top performer in the recent friendlies.
Forwards: Moussa Dembélé (Tottenham), Michy Batshuayi (Marseille), Christian Benteke (Liverpool), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico), Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Divock Origi (Liverpool), Eden Hazard (Chelsea).
And throughout Belgium’s qualification, he maintained a leading role, alongside Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne. De Bruyne as a No 10 or even Hazard at 10.
Expect the Azzurri to prioritise set-piece situations and not to take too many chances―when these two teams met in Belgium previous year, the Red Devils cruised to a 3-1 win, and Conte will not have forgotten.
In our group, Ireland will be a big test for Belgium.
The main question Italy coach Antonio Conte has to answer is who will spearhead his attack.
“Regarding the young players in this Italy team, who haven’t already taken part in a tournament like this, I tell them that a little bit of healthy madness is useful, a bit of that courage to chance your arm on the pitch”. “People will be waiting for Belgium, and waiting for me, (to deliver)”, he said.