While Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has expressed doubts about whether or not his team can beat Brazil on Friday in the World Cup quarterfinals, the players are filled with confidence about their chances to upset the Russia 2018 favorites.
Brazil is a +110 to win the game, while Belgium is listed at +265.Martinez told reporters that Brazil is “the best team in the competition,” and acknowledged an awareness that “I don’t think anyone expects us to go through to the semifinals.”
Whether the manager is using the statements as a distraction or a bit of gamesmanship with his opponents, the declaration seems to have motivated his players.
“It used to be in Belgian culture that we would feel defeated even before a game like this,” captain Vincent Kompany said. “But all the players on our team who play at clubs around the world now believe 100 percent we can beat Brazil. There is not one day I go to bed thinking ‘what if we lose.’”
Will Belgium Defense Step Up?
If Belgium is going to pull off the historic upset and reach the semifinals for the first time in the country’s history, they will have to play better defense than they did against Japan.
They were dreadful in the first 52 minutes against the Japanese, allowing two goals, before mounting a remarkable comeback to pull out a 3-2 victory. If they play the type of defense they did against Japan, Brazil will bury any chances for them to win the game.
The backline will be tasked in stopping scorers Neymar and Philippe Coutinho. Belgium defenseman Thomas Meunier didn’t sound very sure of himself when asked how he will handle Neymar.
“I don’t know how to stop him,” Meunier said. “He’s very unpredictable. Anyway, I’ll do my best.”
Brazil Likes Drama
It seems the only ones who can beat Brazil is themselves. They played well against a pesky Mexico team, winning 2-0, but faced controversy about Neymar’s antics during the game. He was stepped on by a Mexico player and writhed around in mock pain that some said was an Oscar-worthy performance.
Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio was quick to criticize the Brazilian star after the loss.
“We had control of the match, but to me it is just shameful that so much time could be lost over one player,” Osorio said. “The delay for one player was even four minutes, and that is a lesson for even children who play. This should be a game of men and not so much clowning around.”
Neymar has bigger issues than his reactions to slight contact. He has a yellow card and one more will see him suspended for a game. They are already missing defensive midfielder Casemiro, who picked up his second yellow card against Mexico. Another player who has a yellow and is in danger of leaving the field is Coutinho.
Another factor Brazil has to deal with is Belgium’s high-scoring offense. In four games the team has netted nine goals. Four of those have come from Romelu Lukaka, and if Brazil is to advance they will have to find a way to stifle the striker.
