Third place in the 2018 World Cup, second in the world rankings – and yet there is no World Cup euphoria in Belgium before today’s start against Canada (8 p.m., ORF 1). The expectations of what was probably the last appearance of the “golden generation” were not only dampened by the 2-1 draw against Egypt in the dress rehearsal.
“We can’t expect to win the World Cup if we don’t play at the highest level,” said team boss Roberto Martinez. However, apart from Kevin De Bruyne, some of the supports are already removed from this: Eden Hazard is only an extra at Real Madrid, the defensive constants Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen have lost pace at the age of 33 and 35. In addition, striker Romelu Lukaku is injured for the time being. Martinez reassured: “This group has been together for six years. It’s not like there’s suddenly nothing left.”
Croatia’s captain Luka Modric shows no signs of aging. At the age of 37, he leads the vice world champion against Morocco (11 a.m.) on the field today. “The expectations are very high,” said Salzburg’s Luka Sucic. Anything other than the round of 16 is a disappointment. Sucic: “It’s more of an incentive than pressure for us.”
Source: Nachrichten
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