Group Overview
Cam @CamB_PerSources
Two European heavy hitters lead Group G in Belgium and England. Panama and Tunisia follow as they have a tough group ahead of them. Panama qualified for the first time in the countries history after a late winner against Costa Rica knocked off the U.S. Tunisia went unbeaten in African qualifying only allowing four goals while scoring eleven. Tunisia have played well in recent friendlies with a pair of draws against Portugal and Turkey. Tunisia is also in a tough spot due to players fasting during Ramadan. The players have gotten around this during matches by having the goalkeeper go down and outfield go to sidelines. Once on the sidelines, players drink water and eat dates to raise blood sugar levels to keep energy up. This group is all about Belgium and England. Each team have the fire power and defensive stability to make it to the quarterfinals. England will have to choose from goalie’s Jordan Pickford and Jack Butland. Both inexperienced at international level, each goalie had impressed Southgate at club level to displace long time goalie Joe Hart. The expectations of the English media could be heavy on the squad as they lack experience. England are in pole position to make it out of the group along with Belgium, who have even higher expectations. The Belgium team are littered with superstars and are on the back of its golden generation. Star players like Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku lead the attack while Kevin De Bruyne leads the midfield with Jan Vertonghen and Thibaut Courtois stopping the goals. Belgium will advance out of the group but have a long road ahead of them with a potential quarterfinal matchup with Germany or Brazil. First place will come down to the final matchday as Belgium will matchup with England. Belgium will have advantage on goal difference to which will see them top the group with England following behind them.
Tincho (@MP_persources)
The most lopsided group of the tournament in my opinion. There is no doubt in my mind that Belgium and England should not only make it out of this group but dominate along the way. Panama’s historic qualification is definitely one for the books but realistically speaking, they are not in the same conversation as England let alone Belgium. Tunisia topped a low level group in African qualifiers and strolled onto the tournament. At the end of the day, both Panama has a few local stars like Blas Perez, Felipe Baloy, Roman Torres and Anibal Godoy but none of them are ready to compete in Europe’s top leagues. Tunisia has a few players that can make some noise for themselves like Saif-Eddine Khaoui but the overall talent in the squad will be outmatched by Belgium and England who are filled with some of Europe’s biggest names.
Players To Watch:
Tincho: Eden Hazard
Hazard has always flirted with the possibility of being the third best player in the World but in my opinion, has yet to make that affirmative jump. Poor performances in both the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Euro has raised questions about Hazard’s ability to perform with a ridiculously stacked Belgium side. His talent cannot be questioned but this will be the tournament for him to truly stand out and be the genius Belgium knows he can be. I believe Belgium will go only as far as Hazard goes. If Hazard and De Bruyne can shine this summer like they do with their clubs, Belgium will be a team you’ll want to avoid as much as possible.
Cam: Kevin De Bruyne
The Manchester City midfielder this past season was nothing short of incredible. The driving force behind City’s title drive, De Bruyne has shown his world class ability to pass and score from the midfield. He was successful distributing to Leroy Sane and Sergio Aguero in Manchester and he will do the same to Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku. De Bruyne will play along side Moussa Dembele or Axel Witsel in a 3-4-3. The wingbacks will look to cross to the edge of the box while De Bruyne provides through balls through the middle. The Belgian is also a threat from set pieces, and can solidify his status in the world as one of the best central midfielders with a good tournament.
Biggest Concern:
Cam: Roberto Martinez
Roberto Martinez will have the most pressure on him as he has made some big decisions as head coach. Two squad notes are notable as he has decided to leave Radja Nainggolan home and take the injured Vincent Kompany. Nainggolan was an integral part to an AS Roma side that finished third in Seria A and to the Champions League semifinals. Nainggolan being left out came as a shock to many as he can provide the defensive wall in midfield while also attacking from distance. Kompany on the other hand was recently injured in a friendly but will still make the trip to Russia as he tries to recover in time. Martinez has been given the goal of reaching the semi-finals with the team he has. With the superstar side he has, Belgium have not reached past the quarterfinals in the last two tournaments under former coach Marc Wilmots. Time is ticking for this team deliver on their potential on Martinez will be the one to blame if they don’t.
Tincho: England
Something about the water in England makes them underperform in international tournaments. I’ve had a chance to see some of England’s best squads ever but all of them would eventually leave the tournament in a disappointing fashion. I’m not saying England will not make it out of the group. They will. Sheer individual talent alone will get them out. However, a possible Round of 16 match up against Colombia or Poland does not seem very favorable for the Three Lions. England is still a relatively young and inexperienced side bar a few players who also made the trip to Brazil in 2014. It might just end up being Harry Kane against the World.
