Belgium’s biggest weakness is incredibly obvious when one takes a look at their team-sheet. Roberto Martinez likes to play natural wingers Yannick Carrasco and Thomas Meunier as wing-backs. Even before the tournament, most agreed that this plan of action is flawed. Nonetheless, Martinez has persisted with the system. Even in relatively easy group-stage games against Panama, Tunisia and a second-string English side, this weakness was exposed on multiple occasions.
In their opener against Panama, the minnows almost equalized after a long ball exposed Carrasco. While Micheal Murillo’s shot was saved by Thibaut Courtois, the fact that Belgium’s defence could be exposed by a side like Panama does not bode well for their chances later in the tournament. Tunisia also exploited this weakness when Carrasco was caught out in second-half injury time to allow the North African team a consolation.
Yet, the best example of this weakness came in the Round of 16, when Japan exposed the Red Devils on the counter-attack time and time again. Takashi Inui gave Meunier a horrible time throughout the encounter. On the other end, Carrasco was nowhere to be seen when Genki Haraguchi smashed Japan’s opening goal. If this flaw can be exposed ruthlessly by Japan then imagine what Neymar and Willian will do to Carrasco and Meunier.