In the first of our Belgian Euro 2016 Blog Network instalments, Alastair Gartenberg, Jupiler Pro League analyst for Football Radar, reflects on the problems Vincent Kompany’s injury has caused for Marc Wilmots and how Shane Long may be just the type of player to capitalise on uncertainties in the Belgian back four.
Marc Wilmots named his provisional 24-man squad for the Euros last week and there was one glaring omission that was, unfortunately, 100% expected.
Vincent Kompany released a somewhat poetic statement on Facebook the previous week, announcing that due to a groin injury suffered against Real Madrid, he will not be fit to take part this summer.
This was a monumental blow for the Belgian national side as he is not only their most experienced and vital defender but also their inspirational captain.
One might assume that due to Kompany’s misfortune, Wilmots can now pick arguably the Premier League’s best centre-back pairing together in France.
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld have been outstanding this campaign and have a near telepathic relationship; first developing this bond at Germinal Beerschot’s academy, before it further blossomed at Ajax and has now utterly flourished at Spurs.
Why Vincent Kompany missing Euro 2016 may be bad news for Ireland https://t.co/MGvlYjp6u9
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 8, 2016
However, due to a dearth of international calibre full-backs, both players will in fact be pushed out of position, with Wilmots confirming that Galatasaray’s Jason Denayer (below) is to replace Kompany at centre-half.
The 20-year old, who is on loan from Manchester City, is a very quick, powerful defender but has had an underwhelming season for a very underachieving Gala side. As he is likely to play alongside Zenit’s Nicolas Lombaerts, many Belgian fans believe that an area of previous strength has suddenly become a position of vulnerability.
These two have only played together a handful times and the likes of Shane Long will be licking his lips at the chance to prey on this inexperienced duo.
One possible alternative would be if Jordan Lukaku, Romelu’s younger brother, was picked at left-back with Vertonghen moving to his preferred central position. The young full-back has had a fabulous season in an exciting Oostende side and this form was rewarded with a spot in Wilmots’ squad.
He celebrated this call-up with a man-of-the-match display and injury-time winner in a crucial match against Genk on Saturday, which will have done his hopes to start no harm at all. However, he is a very raw defender whose best assets are going forward and it seems unlikely that he will be trusted in the big matches against the cream of Europe.
One of the better "come and get me" ploys doing the rounds https://t.co/BQfmgVY0fY
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 11, 2016
Despite these defensive uncertainties much of the Belgian public is very optimistic for the upcoming tournament and anything less than the semi-finals will be likely be considered a failure for Wilmots and this golden generation.
Wilmots himself is one of Belgium’s most revered internationals, having scored more World Cup goals for his country than anyone else (five), but his managerial experience isn’t nearly as vast as others he will come up against in France.
After two brief spells at Schalke and Sint-Truiden he served his apprenticeship as Belgium’s assistant under current Lokeren boss Georges Leekens between 2010-12, before being ushered into the top job after the unsuccessful Euro 2012 qualification campaign.
Some have the concern that Wilmots is too tactically rigid but with the firepower of Kevin De Bruyne, Dries Mertens and new captain Eden Hazard at his disposal, it is perhaps more vital that he creates a strong defensive platform and leaves these creative marvels to dazzle in their natural way.
However, the Irish can take some inspiration from Wales, who successfully neutralised the Belgians’ attacking prowess, keeping clean sheets against them in both of their Euro qualifiers.
Martin O’Neill will no doubt look to harness some similarly heroic defending when they meet on the June 18 in Bordeaux.
Follow Alastair Gartenberg on Twitter for more insights from the Belgian camp in the build up to Euro 2016.
