SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 12 hrs 12 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Roberto Martinez insists Belgium can cope with Euros expectation

:Headline: Roberto Martinez insists Belgium can cope with Euros expectation:
Roberto Martinez's men sit at the top of FIFA's world ranking table.
Sports Mole

Roberto Martinez has backed Belgium to deal with heightened expectation as they head into the Euro 2020 finals ranked as the best team in the world.

The Belgians finished third at the World Cup in Russia in 2018 and will return to face the hosts of that tournament in St Petersburg on Saturday evening among the favourites to lift the trophy and sitting at the top of FIFA's ranking table.

Asked if his players could handle that expectation, Martinez told a press conference: "It's not just the last tournament, the last three years when the team reaches the level of continuity and that consistency that is shown in the world rankings, I'm sure there is more expectation and there are more neutral fans who follow the team.

"But that doesn't change anything for us. I don't think this team will suffer because of the expectation. I feel that we've got enough experience to cope with the expectation."

Belgium will launch their bid for glory without Kevin De Bruyne and Axel Witsel, who both remained behind at their training base in Tubize as they continue to make good progress in their respective recoveries from injury.

However, there will be little the two sides do not know about each other having finished first and second in Group I in qualification with the Belgians enjoying a perfect record and the Russians winning eight of their 10 games, but losing both home and away to Martinez's side.

Striker Artem Dzyuba found himself thrust into battle with Martinez's robust three-man defence of Toby Alderweireld, Dedryck Boyata and Jan Vertonghen for a 3-1 defeat in Brussels and was partnered by Aleksei Miranchuk against Alderweireld, Boyata and Thomas Vermaelen as they went down 4-1 in St Petersburg, and he knows exactly what to expect.

He told a press conference: "I'd like to play rather than fight. We don't play all the time in the air, we use other aspects in attack.

"I remember quite well that they're very strong and very disciplined, very organised, so I understand very well what is expected of me in the game and I will try to do everything I can and I'll see how it goes.

"Yes, we do have experience and we have analysed all our games."

Head coach Stanislav Cherchesov's plans, however, have been disrupted by a Covid test for Zenit midfielder Andrei Mostovoy which yielded "unfavourable results" with Roman Yevgenyev drafted into the squad in his place.

body check tags ::

amp_article__451043 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-06-11 18:38:55:
html db last update - 2021-06-11 18:38:55 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Roberto Martinez

Click here for more stories about Belgium

Share this article now:
MD
Read Next:
Barcelona 'not fearful of missing out on Memphis Depay'
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Roberto Martinez Kevin De Bruyne Artem Dzyuba Axel Witsel Roman Yevgenyev Toby Alderweireld Dedryck Boyata Jan Vertonghen Aleksei Miranchuk Thomas Vermaelen Stanislav Cherchesov Andrei Mostovoy Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Barcelona 'not fearful of missing out on Memphis Depay'
Title blow! Man City lose five in a row as four-goal Spurs dismantle the champions
"He's been unfairly judged" - Have the critics been too harsh on Arsenal's Merino?
Confirmed draw, fixtures for UEFA Nations League knockout stage and playoffs

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

European escape: National champions 'escalate' pursuit of Chelsea contract rebel

1

EE

Flick stunned! Ten-man Barca pegged back by Celta late on in Vigo

2

FS

Preview: Port Vale vs. Crewe - prediction, team news, lineups

3

PP

'Not good enough': Man United chiefs have 'serious doubts' over summer arrival

4

'G

Another Ruben reunion? Man United add 'fan favourite' to left-back shortlist

5

AR

Team News: Ipswich vs. Man Utd injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

6

TN

Is Rashford in Amorim's plans at Man United moving forward?

7

IR

Yoro is back! When could Man United centre-back make his debut?

8

YI

'We have bricks, we need cement': Arteta explains plan for Arsenal's Nwaneri

9

'H

Pedro stars as ten-man Brighton claim narrow win at Bournemouth

10

PS


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .