Will Eden Hazard start in Belgium – Scotland?
That is the question that is keeping the fans and the press busy today: Will Eden Hazard start today?
Eden didn’t play a good game against Serbia, and was substituted by Mertens, who did make a difference in the gameplay.
Several websites opened a POLL to ask the fans if Eden Hazard should be in the starting eleven:
- Belgian Newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws: 53% YES – 47% NO
- Belgian Newspaper Gazet Van Antwerpen: 60% YES – 40% NO
So, most of the fans still have confidence in Eden Hazard playing a good game. Around 45% feel the other players should get a chance to prove themselves.
Wilmots can show confidence in Eden, and have him start. But Eden will have to respond and play a good game in return. Or Eden will start as substitute, and will enter the game later when the players are more tired, and there is more space.
A difficult choice for the coach. Eden on his best should always be in the team. Eden in form means sudden, splitting actions that cause danger for the opponent, putting attackers in position with brilliant passes, and it causes defenders to commit errors on him near the box. Belgium then can benefit from free kicks and penalties.
Eden on his best should always be in the team.
If Eden is not in this kind of form, he can be very useful to turn the game around in the last 30 minutes – if necessary.
Wilmots’ strategy should be focused in bringing an offensive team, that should also be able to stop Scotland from scoring. Against Wales, Belgium had its share of trouble to find weaknesses in the Welsh defense until the 80th minute. A similar scenario can be expected.
Should a goal be needed by Belgium, an offensive 3-5-2 could be an option, with Mertens, Witsel, Defour, De Bruyne, Hazard as midfielders. All these players have great vista are able to accelerate the ball circulation and give splitting passes to the attackers.
We wish Eden a good game and a goal.