Soccer-Belgium’s Lukaku recovering well but will miss Morocco clash – Martinez

Published In Public Interest by thebengalurulive.com

“He has trained twice now with the group and the signs are very good. We have to see how he reacts today at training. I don’t expect him to be involved (against Morocco), he is still not 100% at this time.” Defender Toby Alderweireld and midfielder Kevin De Bruyne were seen in a heated argument around when to play long balls during Belgium’s lacklustre 1-0 opening victory over Canada. Martinez played down the row and insists there is no rift between the two.

“We should not try to create an issue where there is not one,” he said. “You have two experienced players that have played over 70 games together for the national team. They are both winners and they really want to perform well.” Martinez is wary of the threat of Morocco, a team he knows well and with four Belgium-born players in the squad.

“They are a team with a very good mixture between their flair and their quality,” he says. “They have players that can create numerical advantages in the wide areas. They are well-organized, disciplined, and have a good structure in the middle. “They go eye-to-eye against anyone. They have an incredible belief.”

UNDERCOOKED Belgium drew criticism for their poor display against the Canadians, which was well below the standard they have set in recent years.

But Martinez says they, like other teams in the competition, will improve having not had their usual preparation for a major final. “We arrived at the first game with five (training sessions) and that means the team is not ready. We have seen teams start really well (in matches) but then they could not manage the game,” he said.

“You will see teams being ready only after three games. They are having to get ready while they are in the tournament and that is dangerous because it can cost you points.”

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