Wales is happy to cast itself as underdog in its Euro 2016 quarterfinal against Belgium on Friday but such modesty belies its proven ability to bite hard.
Both sides, though, are fully aware that Wales has proved its mettle against Belgium, beating it 1-0 in Cardiff and drawing in Brussels in the tournament’s qualifying stage.
Virtual home crowd
Belgium, playing before what will be virtually a home crowd in the northern French town of Lille, is under huge pressure for its much-vaunted golden generation to fulfil its promise and finally challenge for a major trophy.
Wales could also claim to have developed a golden generation, spearheaded by Gareth Bale, even if it has fewer illustrious players than the side ranked number two in the world.
“We’re good normally in that situation when we’re right up against it,” Wales defender Chris Gunter said. “Belgium will be the fancied team and they are right on their own doorstep but it’s something we can use as an advantage.”
All eyes will be on the form of Bale and Eden Hazard.
Bale, the world’s most expensive player, has scored three goals and fired in the cross that led to Northern Ireland’s own goal in Wales’s 1-0 last-16 victory. His ability to seize the moment, not least at free kicks, could be pivotal.
Hazard came to life against Hungary — as did the whole team after a stuttering start to the campaign. He set up the second goal for Michy Batshuayi and scored with a dashing solo effort two minutes later to crush Hungary’s hopes in what he said was his best-ever game for his country.
The Belgium captain has missed two days of training with a thigh injury, but should he be declared fit to play, he will be returning to the city where he made a name for himself.
Vertonghen to miss clash
But Jan Vertonghen has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament with an ankle injury, media reports said.
The Tottenham Hotspur defender, 29, reportedly damaged ankle ligaments in training on Thursday and Belgian broadcaster RTBF said he is set to be sidelined for up to four months.
The Welsh are playing in their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup, when they lost in the quarterfinals to eventual champions Brazil.
“Wales are a very strong side, and not just with Gareth Bale; they have other good players,” cautioned Belgian coach Marc Wilmots.
Belgium, however, has greater depth. Wilmots has pointed to playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who has been a tireless and influential figure. Romelu Lukaku scored 27 goals in 52 appearances for Everton this season and always looks threatening.
“They have players on the pitch and the bench that would grace any international team,” Wales manager Chris Coleman said.
“But in the last four years we’ve had four meetings and won one and drawn two, so there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Hazard said the Belgians would need to be wary of the Welsh.
“They are a tricky side to play against. They have a very compact unit and they have a great player up front (Bale).”
The winner will reckon to have a fair chance of reaching the final as the semifinals would pit it against Poland or Portugal, avoiding the powers of France, Italy and Germany.
Neither side will go gentle into that good night on Friday.
Talking Tactics
Marc Wilmots needs to be brave while picking his eleven against the well-drilled 5-3-2 system of Chris Coleman. Although the Welsh triumphed the classic Italian way against Belgium at Cardiff in qualifying, there were moments of struggle against Christian Benteke’s physicality and Romelu Lukaku’s clever movement inside the box. To milk those moments, Wilmots should start with two strikers up front to engage the three central defenders and create space for dribbler Eden Hazard to run into the box.
If the Liverpool striker is accommodated, Dries Mertens will have to be sacrificed. Axel Witsel and Radja Nainggolan can take up central positions and are expected to play long balls behind the defenders. Hazard will seek help from Witsel to check tournament joint top-scorer Gareth Bale’s lung-busting runs.
Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen, with their neat passing behind Bale, will look to cash in on the inexperience of central defender Jason Denayer (a replacementfor the suspended Thomas Vermaelen and Jordan Lukaku (left-back)
Aaron Ramsey vs Axel Witsel
Witsel endured a couple of nervous moments against Italy, and there could be more against Ramsey on Friday. The Welshman has a knack of escaping the clutches of the defensive midfielder and entering dangerous areas. The Zenit player could resort to making some professional fouls to prevent Ramsey from building up attacks. At the other end of the pitch, Witsel could do similar damage if Ramsey fails in his defensive duties.
(With inputs from S. Sudarsan)
