Group F Opponent Watch (Belgium, Croatia, Morocco)

[TGAA_Star]

5 hours ago, Free kick said:

This guy (Willoo) has been doing world cup preview segments on each world cup team over the past several weeks.  He is well informed and does good research.  A couple of weeks ago he did a segment on Canada that I posted it in the other thread.  It was the second team that he covered, and it was favorable. 

Here is his review of Morocco.  Its in French but he highlights.

- Its their sixth appearance at the work cup but very few good results

- Question marks up front but their players down the flank are their strengths

- injuries on defense 

- A very creative and exciting team but prone to many mistakes 

- He thinks it will be difficult for Morrocco.

- He thinks Canada will be the surprise of the WC. 

 

-

 

Canada as the surprise of Qatar I hope so but I doubt it

[WestHamCanadianinOxford]

Croatia's Kovacic (he who was running round the pitch in his ginch at the weekend) just scored a beauty from distance in the Champions League.   

[PegCityCam]

Courtois is a fraud 

[narduch]

Croatia have released their preliminary roster.

 

[ensco]

Morocco may be adding a pretty accomplished winger here

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11374471/Anwar-El-Ghazi-confirms-switch-allegiance-Holland-Morocco-time-World-Cup.html

[FullbackZD]

20 hours ago, narduch said:

Croatia have released their preliminary roster.

 

With Pogba and Kante missing out for France this is probably the best midfield of this WC, only Spain and Brazil might challenge them in midfield. Lovro Majer is claimed to be next Modric and will probably end up in Arsenal next summer, Sucic is captaining Salzburg at the age of 20.

[WestHamCanadianinOxford]

2 hours ago, ensco said:

Morocco may be adding a pretty accomplished winger here

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11374471/Anwar-El-Ghazi-confirms-switch-allegiance-Holland-Morocco-time-World-Cup.html

He looked okay early and then trailed off when I saw him in the Premier League.  Boufal has normally played on the left and Ziyech has played on the right in the friendlies since he came back.  But El Ghazi should add very decent depth.

 

In other Morocco news - Nayef Aguerd, who is one of their regular starting centre backs, played 76' in the Conference League last week after having surgery on his ankle in preseason.  Probably play again this week, and will make the World Cup barring any setback. 

 He looked really good albeit against poor opposition, quick, and good on the ball.   We should probably target Roman Saiss when the time comes.

[red card]

For those who understand some French, RDS panel discusses Canada's group. Can't seem to link directly to video but scroll down to see it.

https://www.rds.ca/soccer/coupe-du-monde/videos?utm_source=Direct&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=Optimisation-Menu

 

TSN also has BarDown Presents: Canada at the '86 World Cup tomorrow evening but repeated on various days afterwards.

Edited November 4, 2022 by red card

[narduch]

 

 

[TGAA_Star]

8 hours ago, narduch said:

 

 

Even if Lukaku doesn't play for Belgium against Canada, Belgium still have weapons to hurt us like De Bruyne, Hazard, etc

[cornerkick]

More and more, I think the real threat on Belgium is Youri Tielemens.  The guy is scoring unreal goals every week in the EPL, all from outside the box too.  Hit the post I think last week, but made good earlier today...

 

 

[Free kick]

On 10/25/2022 at 1:01 AM, Free kick said:

This guy (Willoo) has been doing world cup preview segments on each world cup team over the past several weeks.  He is well informed and does good research.  A couple of weeks ago he did a segment on Canada that I posted it in the other thread.  It was the second team that he covered, and it was favorable. 

Here is his review of Morocco.  Its in French but he highlights.

- Its their sixth appearance at the work cup but very few good results

- Question marks up front but their players down the flank are their strengths

- injuries on defense 

- A very creative and exciting team but prone to many mistakes 

- He thinks it will be difficult for Morrocco.

- He thinks Canada will be the surprise of the WC. 

 

-

 

I have posted his review For Canada about a month ago. Then the one he did for Morrocco (shown above).  Now this is the one for Belgium

Summary

- A side that is at crossroads.  Stuck in a conundrum whereby if they go all way to semi's and lose, the fans will feel empty but is it realistic to expect more given the recent mixed results?

- probable formation is a 3-4-3 with Lukaku supported by Hazard and De Bruyne.  Only De Bruyne is still at peak performance.  The other two have seen their minutes and effectiveness cut down at the club level.  

- Only De Bruyne and Courtois are still at their peak levels.  But they are elite players who can carry a team

- They always play a back three.  However,  Vertongen is 35, Alderweireld is 33 and both have come back to play in Belgium but Alderweireld had trouble finding a club this summer.  Uncertainty as to who will be the man in the middle of the back three, no clearcut favorite.

-  Boyata and Dendonker have a lot of promise but it's unlikely they will be ready for a starting role.  Wiloo likes Theate from Stade Rennais but he is expected to be on the bench as well

- Three worry points:  1) the defenders aged poorly, they have trouble with pace and with aerial balls 2) Center mid combo of Witzel and Thielmans is individually very talented but there are questions as to whether they complement each other 3) Carasco and Castagne on the wings are not at their best form right now.

- He insists he is not pessimistic about Belgium because they have the best keeper in the world cup and Kevin de Bruyne.  they can create chances and still have overall talent and experience.  

 

 

Edited November 8, 2022 by Free kick

[TGAA_Star]

9 hours ago, Free kick said:

I have posted his review For Canada about a month ago. Then the one he did for Morrocco (shown above).  Now this is the one for Belgium

Summary

- A side that is at crossroads.  Stuck in a conundrum whereby if they go all way to semi's and lose, the fans will feel empty but is it realistic to expect more given the recent mixed results?

- probable formation is a 3-4-3 with Lukaku supported by Hazard and De Bruyne.  Only De Bruyne is still at peak performance.  The other two have seen their minutes and effectiveness cut down at the club level.  

- Only De Bruyne and Courtois are still at their peak levels.  But they are elite players who can carry a team

- They always play a back three.  However,  Vertongen is 35, Alderweireld is 33 and both have come back to play in Belgium but Alderweireld had trouble finding a club this summer.  Uncertainty as to who will be the man in the middle of the back three, no clearcut favorite.

-  Boyata and Dendonker have a lot of promise but it's unlikely they will be ready for a starting role.  Wiloo likes Theate from Stade Rennais but he is expected to be on the bench as well

- Three worry points:  1) the defenders aged poorly, they have trouble with pace and with aerial balls 2) Center mid combo of Witzel and Thielmans is individually very talented but there are questions as to whether they complement each other 3) Carasco and Castagne on the wings are not at their best form right now.

- He insists he is not pessimistic about Belgium because they have the best keeper in the world cup and Kevin de Bruyne.  they can create chances and still have overall talent and experience.  

 

 

And that is who Canada have to see first

[Blondo]

19 hours ago, Free kick said:

- A side that is at crossroads.  Stuck in a conundrum whereby if they go all way to semi's and lose, the fans will feel empty but is it realistic to expect more given the recent mixed results?

The general sentiment in Belgium is less optimistic. Advancing from the groups is seen as a must. If Belgium then knock out Spain or Germany in the Ro16 that would already be a success (instead of feeling empty if we lost a 2nd consecutive semi-final). Reaching the semis again would be seen as a huge success.

Of course going all the way is the ultimate goal for the players. Even for Brazil it isn't exactly a given to pull off such a feat, let alone Belgium.

19 hours ago, Free kick said:

- probable formation is a 3-4-3 with Lukaku supported by Hazard and De Bruyne.  Only De Bruyne is still at peak performance.  The other two have seen their minutes and effectiveness cut down at the club level.  

- Only De Bruyne and Courtois are still at their peak levels.  But they are elite players who can carry a team

I'd call it 3-4-2-1 as we most often use a sole striker and basically two 10s, not that it matters that much. KDB can play there or gets moved down a line. Plenty of other tweaks can be made and playing with two strikers is also a possibility (especially if Lukaku isn't available for the first game). When playing for country Lukaku definitely is at his peak, regardless of club form/fitness. Michy needs the fewest minutes per goal for country and his name is now regularly on the scoresheet at club level. Tielemans is also growing towards his peak and lately has been in good form.

Trossard didn't get a mention at all but has been in superb form for club and has scored worldies for country. Hazard will prolly still start some games. Despite hiding it very well he could all of a sudden remember that he's in fact really good at kicking around a ball (like against Celtic in the CL). In case we get limp Hazard then bring on Trossard asap. Doku could very well miss out (since showing plenty of promise in the euros it's been a case of too little, too late; injuries have really hampered his progress). Martinez really likes the kid but currently his inclusion is a big ?

19 hours ago, Free kick said:

- They always play a back three.  However,  Vertongen is 35, Alderweireld is 33 and both have come back to play in Belgium but Alderweireld had trouble finding a club this summer.  Uncertainty as to who will be the man in the middle of the back three, no clearcut favorite.

-  Boyata and Dendonker have a lot of promise but it's unlikely they will be ready for a starting role.  Wiloo likes Theate from Stade Rennais but he is expected to be on the bench as well

- Three worry points:  1) the defenders aged poorly, they have trouble with pace and with aerial balls 2) Center mid combo of Witzel and Thielmans is individually very talented but there are questions as to whether they complement each other 3) Carasco and Castagne on the wings are not at their best form right now.

- He insists he is not pessimistic about Belgium because they have the best keeper in the world cup and Kevin de Bruyne.  they can create chances and still have overall talent and experience. 

Not only Theate but also Faes is having a good season; both should be in the 26. Personally, I'd rather see Mechele get a call-up than Boyata. There are others, not limited to defenders, who may or may not get into the final 26 that this youtuber included/excluded. Lavia might actually still be brought to gain experience. Hey-ho we'll find out very soon.

Alderweireld didn't have much trouble finding a club and has been great at Antwerp. He can easily play in the middle of the back 3 and Denayer who now also has experienced playing in the desert can be slotted into any of the 3 spots. Dendoncker has been solid for Belgium's backline and Castagne is another option. Starting games with Vertonghen, Denayer and Alderweireld doesn't seem the most probable 3atb any longer. It most likely will be decided in training who gets to start.

Last season Carrasco did very well but less so this season. Castagne has picked up form and T.Hazard has even done well at fullback. Saelemaekers has completed his injury rehab ahead of schedule and if both him and Meunier are ready for it I'd take both because it's such a demanding position and we have had our fair share of injury woes. 

[Free kick]

Here is the Belgium projected lineup according to the Athletic

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Matz Sels (Racing Strasbourg)

 

Defenders: Dedryck Boyata (Club Brugge), Timothy Castagne (Leicester), Wout Faes (Leicester), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Toby Alderweireld (Antwerp), Jason Denayer (Al-Ahli), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht) 

 

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan), Leander Dendocker (Aston Villa), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Amadou Onana (Everton), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid), Youri Tielemans (Leicester)

 

Forwards:  Eden Hazard (Real Madrid),  Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Leandro Trossard (Brighton), Dries Mertens (Galatasaray), Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce), Dodi Lukebakio (Hertha Berlin), Lois Openda (Lens)

Edited November 9, 2022 by Free kick

[Free kick]

Here is the Croatia projected lineup according to the Athletic

Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivica Ivusic (Osijek), Ivo Grbic (Atletico Madrid), Dominik Kotarski (PAOK), Nediljko Labrovic (Rijeka).

 

Defenders: Domagoj Vida (AEK), Dejan Lovren (Zenit), Borna Barisic (Rangers), Duje Caleta-Car (Southampton), Josip Juranovic (Celtic), Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig), Borna Sosa (Stuttgart), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Lecce), Martin Erlic (Sassuolo), Josip Sutalo (Dinamo Zagreb).

 

Midfielders: Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Luka Ivanusec (Dinamo Zagreb), Lovro Majer (Rennes), Kristijan Jakic (Eintracht Frankfurt), Luka Sucic (Salzburg), Josip Misic (Dinamo Zagreb).

 

Forwards: Ivan Perisic (Tottenham), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Josip Brekalo (Wolfsburg), Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Mislav Orsic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marko Livaja (Hajduk Split), Antonio Colak (Rangers).

[Free kick]

No projected lineup available but we have Morocco’s most recent international squad. Source: The Athletic

 

Goalkeers: Yassine Bounou (Sevilla), Munir El Kajoui (Al Wehda), Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti (Wydad Casablanca).

 

Defenders: Anas Zniti (Raja CA), Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich), Ganza Ek Niyssaiyu (RS Berkane), Romain Saiss (Besiktas), Achraf Dari (Brest), Badr Benoun (Qatar SC), Yahia Attiyat Allah (Wydad Casablanca), Jawad El Yamiq (Real Valladolid), Samy Mmaee (Ferencvaros).

 

Midfielders: Younes Belhanda (Adana Demirspor), Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina), Azzedine Ounahi (Angers), Abdelhamid Sabiri (Sampdoria), Ilias Chair (QPR), Selim Amallah (Standard Liege), Yahya Jabrane (Wydad Casablanca), Amine Harit (Marseille).

 

Forwards: Hakim Ziyech (Chelsea), Munir El Haddadi (Getafe), Zakaria Aboukhlal (Toulouse), Ayoub El Kaabi (Hatayspor), Walid Cheddira (Bari), Soufiane Rahimi (Al-Ain), Sofiane Boufal (Angers), Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla), Ryan Mmaee (Ferencvaros), Abde Ezzalzouli (Osasuna)

Edited November 9, 2022 by Free kick

[Blondo]

2 hours ago, Free kick said:

Here is the Belgium projected lineup according to the Athletic

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Matz Sels (Racing Strasbourg)

 

Defenders: Dedryck Boyata (Club Brugge), Timothy Castagne (Leicester), Wout Faes (Leicester), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Toby Alderweireld (Antwerp), Jason Denayer (Al-Ahli), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht) 

 

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan), Leander Dendocker (Aston Villa), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Amadou Onana (Everton), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid), Youri Tielemans (Leicester)

 

Forwards:  Eden Hazard (Real Madrid),  Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Leandro Trossard (Brighton), Dries Mertens (Galatasaray), Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce), Dodi Lukebakio (Hertha Berlin), Lois Openda (Lens)

That's 30 players. Martinez will definitely call up fewer CBs than 8; at most 6 and Dendoncker might even be counted as one of them (Castagne and Witsel can provide cover as well). 3 goalies is plenty; the 3rd one is the least likely player to see any action so why take 4 if you don't have to (Martinez has been calling up 4 for every window since he took over in 2016 yet only Van Gaal, the madman that he is, has said he'll take 4 with him to Qatar). So far it sounds like Lukaku will be there but have to wait and see.

Edited November 9, 2022 by Blondo

[Free kick]

your right.  i didn't actually count the names on those lists.

[scullion44]

https://twitter.com/HNS_CFF/status/1590286757836517377?s=20&t=-1cFTgcH4ehXGrqWOGdrLw

Edited November 9, 2022 by scullion44

[Unnamed Trialist]

9 hours ago, Free kick said:

Here is the Belgium projected lineup according to the Athletic

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid), Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Matz Sels (Racing Strasbourg)

 

Defenders: Dedryck Boyata (Club Brugge), Timothy Castagne (Leicester), Wout Faes (Leicester), Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), Arthur Theate (Rennes), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Toby Alderweireld (Antwerp), Jason Denayer (Al-Ahli), Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht) 

 

Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Charles De Ketelaere (AC Milan), Leander Dendocker (Aston Villa), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Amadou Onana (Everton), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid), Youri Tielemans (Leicester)

 

Forwards:  Eden Hazard (Real Madrid),  Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid), Leandro Trossard (Brighton), Dries Mertens (Galatasaray), Michy Batshuayi (Fenerbahce), Dodi Lukebakio (Hertha Berlin), Lois Openda (Lens)

That is 30 with 4 keepers. Is The Athletic so shy it can't just project a logical 26 with the preceptive 3 keepers? We're like a few days before the official announcement and they're afraid to risk such a daring call.

[narduch]

Morocco squad drops tomorrow 

[scullion44]

Gvardiol busted up his face pretty good. Broken nose if I had to guess. He’ll for sure be playing with a mask at the world cup but there’s no way that will be comfortable

[narduch]

Belgium squad

[narduch]