Vincent Kompany is an injury doubt for Belgium, but I still can't see Russia posing too much of a threat to the Belgian defense. Capello's side looked very poor against South Korea.
Enjoy the match!
Enjoy the match!
Belgium vs Russia - BBC One 5pm KO
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It'll be interesting to see whether Fellaini starts in the advanced role he played when he came on and scored, and generally made it very difficult for Algeria in the first game.
God knows what Argentine television must be like if Diego Maradona has a chat show on it.
As for the match, providing Belgium don't start as sluggishly as they did against Algeria they should coast to victory against one of the weaker Russian sides we've seen at a World Cup.
As for the match, providing Belgium don't start as sluggishly as they did against Algeria they should coast to victory against one of the weaker Russian sides we've seen at a World Cup.
Wasn't too impressed with Belgium in their opener, not until they equalised anyway. Even less impressed with Russia. So I'm hoping for a lot more from both sides today.
I found the Belgian approach to improving their team interesting. Sounds like they really went all in to get young players playing, working on their ball skills and staying together in the national league rather than going overseas. Sounds a lot like the Spanish approach. Makes me wonder why the FA doesn't do similar.
I think Belgium should be favourites for this. Russia looked like they were a decent side given their qualifying record but they were incredibly dull in the first game.
Originally Posted by Inspiration:
“I found the Belgian approach to improving their team interesting. Sounds like they really went all in to get young players playing, working on their ball skills and staying together in the national league rather than going overseas. Sounds a lot like the Spanish approach. Makes me wonder why the FA doesn't do similar.”
“I found the Belgian approach to improving their team interesting. Sounds like they really went all in to get young players playing, working on their ball skills and staying together in the national league rather than going overseas. Sounds a lot like the Spanish approach. Makes me wonder why the FA doesn't do similar.”
There's a lot of them playing elsewhere though.
Originally Posted by Sattrega:
“Wasn't too impressed with Belgium in their opener, not until they equalised anyway. Even less impressed with Russia. So I'm hoping for a lot more from both sides today.”
“Wasn't too impressed with Belgium in their opener, not until they equalised anyway. Even less impressed with Russia. So I'm hoping for a lot more from both sides today.”
Yep hopefully this'll be better as neither started all that well last week.
Judging by that uncertain punch away, Akinfeev doesn't seem much more settled than he was against Korea.
Good pace to the match in these early stages.
Good pace to the match in these early stages.
Lively start from both teams, Belgium shading it so far. Good shot just then though, good save Courtois.
Originally Posted by O'Neill:
“Mertens looks the most likely scorer, he's making good chances so far.”
“Mertens looks the most likely scorer, he's making good chances so far.”
Can see a few Premier league sides looking at him - think he is at Lazio?
Originally Posted by Mark F:
“Can see a few Premier league sides looking at him - think he is at Lazio?”
“Can see a few Premier league sides looking at him - think he is at Lazio?”
Napoli.
Mertens is just skinning that Russian left back time and time again.
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