After the test, Peter Vandenbempt estimates where the Red Devils stand for the European Championship: “Everyone is on their guard”

London has taught us lessons and confirmed suspicions. After the compelling practice match against England, it is now more substantiated to estimate what these Red Devils are worth. Our commentator Peter Vandenbempt is doing the exercise towards the European Championships.

There are worse gifts. On his birthday on Tuesday evening, Peter Vandenbempt received a particularly pleasant practice match to comment on. There was a nice tie between England and Belgium from the first to the last minute.

“This was a practice match that is very useful,” Vandenbempt reflected on the return flight to Brussels.

“With intensity, duels, pace. This could just as easily have been a match at the European Championship. The Belgians’ first fifteen minutes in particular were really good. They trapped the English, quickly recovered the ball and scored. And all that against a few players world class. You also had the feeling there was a good spirit among the Devils – they fought until the end.”

The fact that the victory slipped out of the Belgians’ hands in the closing seconds is not a big drama for Vandenbempt.

“You have to look through that. It is just a shame for the battle that you have given away a historic victory so late. But that equalizer should not have any importance in the evaluation that will be made. Because the Belgians could just as well have scored 4 or 5 goals. collect.”

The latter is also the biggest concern for Vandenbempt with a view to the European Championship.

“Do we think the Red Devils’ defense held up against England?” he asks out loud.

“Or did we mainly get away well because Bellingham missed two rare chances and Foden was also inefficient? Don’t forget that it was without Kane, right? A normal result could also have been 4-2 or 5-3. And then there was been critical.”

“For me, it’s not just about the defense, but also about the defensive organization. Vertonghen, for example, was completely exposed during that penalty. The English – that is of course also their great quality – could play football through the center too easily. Theate had a I noticed that it was a very difficult match. And Vertonghen also had a hard time at times.”

“Look, I have always found the defensive work to be the major concern for these Devils. We are not good enough defensively to get far at the European Championship. That was once again confirmed against England.”

You are afraid of someone like Doku – you also noticed that with England and it will be no different with the other top favorites.

Peter Vandenbempt

Peter Vandenbempt saw at Wembley that the Red Devils themselves have the necessary weapons to hurt the major football countries.

“Everyone knows that Belgium has a lot of speed, which means it can strike on the counter-attack. You are afraid of someone like Doku – you also noticed that with England and it will be no different with the other top favorites.”

“All countries are wary of the Red Devils. Moreover, this summer, with De Bruyne, there will be someone who can launch the counters just a little more cleanly.”

“But anyway, we will be inferior against the real top countries. It will not be like before, that the Belgians can dominate every match. We will have to defend better and strike efficiently on the counter. That’s how you can win.”

In addition, during this international match it was also a matter of waiting to see whether an emphatic holder would emerge in certain positions.

“Some question marks have not completely disappeared,” says Vandenbempt. “But I am still inclined to prefer Lukebakio over Bakayoko. For me, that is someone who delivers every time for the Devils.”

“I was also pleased to see that Tielemans scored twice and played a good match for the national team. We were all waiting for that. However, he will soon be a substitute again when De Bruyne returns.” The same applies to Trossard.”

Before the international break, Tedesco may have thought he had his number 1, but now he may have some doubts about that.

Peter Vandenbempt

Where the playing opportunities did change significantly, according to Vandenbempt, was in goal.

“Sels has come closer to Casteels in the past two matches. He did exceptionally well – especially against England – and thus carries more weight. That is a shame for Casteels.”

“Before the international break, Tedesco may have thought he had his number 1, but now he will have some doubts about that.”