The Red Devils won their opening game in group 2 of the A division in the Nations League on Saturday without any problems with 0-2 on a visit to Denmark. Jason Denayer and Dries Mertens scored the goals in the Parkenstadion in the Danish capital Copenhagen.
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With Vincent Kompany retired, Thomas Vermaelen still in Japan and an injured Dedryck Boyata, Roberto Martinez had to work in Denmark with other Lego blocks for his defense. The question was, how solid would that structure be with Jason Denayer as the pivotal figure? Well, Denayer turned out to be the revelation, the best man on the field even.
Not even because he gave the Red Devils the lead after eight minutes with a very refined touch on the corner, a reminder of his barefoot youth academy and the good feet under his short drawn-up stockings. Because he defended with his chest forward and could hardly be caught making a mistake. This was especially necessary in the first half hour. Because Roberto Martinez did not have the manual for a solid construction at the time.
The goal followed a curving free kick by Carrasco that was pushed against the bar by Schmeichel. And there was also a counter through Carrasco that was shot high by Castagne. But otherwise the Red Devils barely got out before half-time. Mertens who was struggling, or Lukaku who lost the game to Simon Kjaer, those images were more numerous than opportunities for the Belgians.
Photo: BELGA
Rushed play
Absences weighed heavily not in the back. Well in the middle and in the front. Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, their ball resistance and their ideas, are more difficult to replace than a central defender. And so the number one in the world initially treated the empty Parken stadium to hasty play, without ideas. ‘Calm down’, the national coach also gestured, but it hardly helped.
Also because the Danes had done their homework. The high amount of interference that national coach Kasper Hjulmand – a visible fan of Pep Guardiola – had given them problems caused problems. Mignolet who almost choked on a back pass a few times, or Vertonghen who played the ball over their own back line, it had everything to do with a lack of play options. The possession of the Danes after 18 minutes was 62 percent. The fact that Mignolet and Denayer were the only basic players who have already started the season, was also impossible to hide. Belgium lacked movement in the initial phase, also sharpened with Thorgan Hazard as the most extreme example. With competition miles underway, our left wing back would not have constantly lost the ball to Poulsen. Now he was a diesel that didn’t sputter until after the break.
However, Belgium was lucky. That the shivering in the back – the balls back to Mignolet but also a carom from Witsel against Delaney – did not really lead to a goal. And especially that this Denmark is not overflowing with football talent. A solid team, yes, but with a little more ingenuity they would have had opportunities. Now it was only a shot from Eriksen – again after a loss of the ball by Thorgan Hazard – that Mignolet had to push over. And a wild ball in Braithwaite’s stands.
–Mertens scores, debut for Doku and Trossard
With the break in sight, things improved and the Devils got more and more grip. In the second half completely. Denmark struggled to trap the Devils. There were gaps between the lines, and the Red Devils finally dared to use the long ball in the back. Roberto Martinez also adjusted early. Carrasco, nevertheless the best of the trio in the front, was moved to the side for Dennis Praet. With the Leicester man centrally closest to Lukaku, the Belgians switched to a sort of 4-4-2 in loss of possession, with Mertens and Thorgan Hazard on the double occupied flanks.
Because the Danes could not and the Belgians hardly wanted, there was hardly anything to do. Until Lukaku was finally able to sprint again and forced Schmeichel to a good rescue. A little later, Belgium turned out to be very efficient. Lukaku once again emphasized that he can hardly be stopped with a defender in his back, and he should actually receive a penalty kick. Referee Schärer let it be so that Mertens could take advantage of the rebound to make his nineteenth goal for the fatherland. With the 0-2 and the control over a broken Denmark, national coach Trossard and Doku still granted their international debut in the final. Iceland awaits on Tuesday and Denayer can confirm that it is still in the back.
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