“We had agreed on that for a long time”, explained Roberto Martinez in the press chat towards the friendly international. “Simon Mignolet would be against Ireland, Matz Sels against Burkina Faso.”
For Sels it will be his second appearance with the national team. Last year he replaced Mignolet in the final phase of the practice pot Belgium – Greece (1-1).
Sels has been playing for Strasbourg in France for several years. In our country he defended the colors of Lierse and AA Gent.
Furthermore, Martinez does not want to change too much about his team after Saturday’s 2-2 Ireland. “We are going to set up a similar team. Everyone seems to be fit.”
“We will use our substitutions to see as many players as possible in action. It is our responsibility to prepare them and to accommodate the departure of experienced internationals in the future.”
And who doesn’t play tomorrow? “He doesn’t have to worry about the World Cup yet,” the national coach replies.
“The final round will only start in 7 months, an eternity in football. A lot can still happen before we go to Qatar.”
Belgium has only been able to win once in the last 5 matches (3-1 in the World Cup preliminary round against Estonia). Is the national coach concerned?
“Of course I want to win every match,” Roberto Martinez replies, “but we played those matches with different formations, so I’m not going to focus on those results.”
“These international matches are not about results, but about what we learn from this. And how we can get better,” says the national coach.
Tomorrow Burkina Faso, the number 4 of the Africa Cup, will visit. Martinez: “I have become a big fan of the team. It is a very nice team.”
“I love their wingbacks, Traoré is great and Tapsoba (from Standard, red) can make a field bigger.”
“I hope that many fans will show up tomorrow and that they will get to know Burkina Faso,” the national coach concludes.
