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Football

18th Jun 2016

Belgium starting XI shows new-look midfield for Ireland clash

One very noticeable absentee

Ben Kiely

It looks like Marouane Fellaini will be starting from the bench against Ireland.

Respected Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur revealed the line-up Belgium will be putting out in their crunch Group E clash against the Boys In Green in Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux.

Marc Wilmots has made three changes to the team that lost 2-0 to Italy in their Euro 2016 opener, with Yannick Carrasco perhaps the most high-profile name to come into the team.

The Atletico Madrid winger played a starring role for the La Liga side this season, particularly in their Champions League run which saw them bested by Real Madrid in the final.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Moussa Dembele comes into the central midfield position in place of Radja Nainggolan, while the other change is in the defence where Montreal Impact defender Laurent Ciman has made way Club Brugge’s Thomas Meunier.

The rumours on the even of the match suggested Kevin De Bruyne would miss out through injury while it was expected that Christian Benteke would start ahead of Romelu Lukaku.

Those rumours have proved to be unfounded as Marc Wilmots names a front four of Carrasco, De Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Lukaku.

It’s enough to give the Irish defenders a sleepless night. Just as well it’s only come out on the morning of the game.

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