What lessons can be drawn from this gathering in March? Six months before the World Cup, Robert Martinez decided to deliver a “U50” selection, which brought back a draw and a victory from its diptych against Ireland and Burkina Faso. Debriefing with Philippe Albert. “I remember the fact of not having cashed in despite the reorganized defense, with a good Salts. It was a tough start to the game defensively but they pulled themselves together. The defense seemed more solid to me than in Ireland with the entry of Dendoncker in the second half, especially.
See Van der Heyden played his first game with the Devils. Tested at left centre-back in place of Arthur Theate, the Unionist made a clean copy. “I found him consistent and incredibly sober. He gained strength over the course of the meeting. He made VDH, very good at the stop, very good in the aerial game. Some interesting climbs that he couldn’t complete it, too bad for him.”
At kick-off, Roberto Martinez favored the tenure of Michy Batshuayirelegating for a second consecutive meeting the Benteke, Origi and Vanzeir on the bench. “Benteke made Benteke when he came on yesterday: a sublime header to score 3-0. We know what we have with Christian, when he comes up to the game, he is always hungry. In terms of mentality, he is irreproachable. He is going through difficult times at Crystal Palace where he hardly ever plays, and yet he is delivering a good copy when he gets into the game tonight. I hope he will be from the core in Qatar because we need His profile.”