ROBERTO MARTINEZ AND BELGIUM AT THE CUSP OF GLORY


    ROBERTO MARTINEZ AND BELGIUM AT THE CUSP OF GLORY

Just over two years ago he was sacked as Everton manager and now he's two wins away from winning the World cup with Belgium and creating history. It’s a credit and testament of Martinez’s drive that he took the Belgian job 2 months after being sacked by Everton. With the amount of abuse he received from fans, at least a year’s sabbatical to recharge before taking another job seemed the most logical thing to do. His appointment as Belgian Head Coach didn’t really pull any trees. Fans and critics alike were skeptical about it and Twitter keyboard warriors had a field day. It safe to say the fans weren’t expecting him to be the one to replace Marc Wilmots.

His first game for the Red devils didn’t go as planned as it was a 2-0 loss to Spain in Brussels. He subsequently led the Belgium team to qualify successfully for the World Cup in Russia, after a 2-1 victory over Greece ensured they took top spot in the group with 2 games to spare. They were also the first European team to qualify for the world cup after hosts Russia.
A lot has been said about this Belgian squad, “the Golden Generation” as they are fondly called. On paper the squad would have been bang on favourite to qualify and be a major contender for Football’s ultimate prize.  They certainly have a talented and strong squad.  Kevin De Bruyne is probably the Premier League’s best all-round player, Dries Mertens is definitely one of Serie A’s top players and then there is Thibaut Courtois, Jan Vertonghen, Eden Hazard , Romelu Lukaku and  the leadership of Vincent Kompany.

Credit must be given to Martinez who has had to manage several big egos in the team. Kompany, Courtois, de Bruyne and Hazard have won the Premier League eight times between them.
Romelu Lukaku is also a big character. Martinez has done well to manage the massive egos and make each and every member of the squad feel important. He has also rewarded good performance of the players as shown by his decision to start Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli after their performances in the round of 16 comeback victory over Japan.


Martinez and the Belgium squad have thrilled and earned the respect of every fan, critic and pundit at this world cup. Can they write their names in the history books by winning the World Cup? On the evidence of what we have seen so far, it will take a brave man to bet against them.




                                            

Comments

  1. UnknownJuly 10, 2018 at 9:53 AM

    It would definitely take a brave man to bet against them!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJuly 10, 2018 at 9:53 AM

    The good thing about this Belgian team is that they keep improving as the competition progresses but they would be playing against a much more solid counter attacking team in France. This should be their sternest test so far in d tournament.

    ReplyDelete

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