Belgium 2-1 Switzerland: 3 things we learned

Belgium overcame a dogged Switzerland side thanks to a brace from Romelu Lukaku. Here’s what we learned from the match.

After a very successful World Cup, Belgium have continued to play the slick soccer that won over so many fans in Russia. Against Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League, however, they had to work hard for their 2-1 win. Here’s what we learned.

A fascinating tactical battle

Roberto Matinez received plenty of ridicule during his time in England, but his stock rose massively after he guided Belgium to third place in the World Cup last summer. He’s done his job (managing top talent, and balancing out egos) wonderfully, getting the best out of the likes of Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens and Kevin De Bruyne.

His rival on the touchline on Friday, Vladimir Petkovic, has been at the helm for Switzerland for almost half a decade now, and has stamped his influence on his players.

The first half presented a great tactical battle.

Switzerland were set up to counter Belgium’s attacking threat, and while they did that well, it wasn’t just about defending. Had they been more clinical in their passing, they would have posed a much stronger counter-attacking threat, but the signs were there. They still showed the depth of talent they had up front, and with a little bit more ruthlessness up top they could have been in for an upset.

Fabian Schar and Granit Xhaka’s passing picked out Xherdan Shaqiri constantly, only for the attack to break down in the pivotal moment.

For the game to truly open up, Belgium had to be more decisive up front and be more flexible, which is exactly what happened in the second half.

Lukaku shows why he’s such an attacking threat

For Manchester United fans, watching Belgium play must feel like pure torture.

Romelu Lukaku constantly gets vital goals for his side, bullying defenders with his strength and sending them on the back foot with his direct running.

It’s no secret why he’s so good for Belgium: The team play to his strengths.

Lukaku, for Belgium, receives the ball at his feet. While he may lack the deftness of touch that Hazard has, he brings other players into the game with his hold up play, and constantly receives support from Hazard and Mertens.

Both players draw defenders toward them with their movement off the ball, which allows Lukaku time on the ball to set himself.

Yes, he’s guilty of missing chances, as he showed when he skied a shot from five yards out with the match still level, but he went on to score the winner.

Former strikers have talked at length about how it’s important for number 9s to constantly put themselves in attacking situations rather than bury every chance they got.

Eventually the law of probability will work in your favour, as Lukaku showed by scoring the winner at the end of a scintillating and beautiful Belgian move.

Week after week for Manchester United Lukaku’s best characteristics just aren’t being used. For Belgium, it’s a different story.

Are you watching, Jose Mourinho? This is how you get the best out of your top striker.

Group 2 is delicately poised for a grand finale

Switzerland will not be disheartened by this result, and they shouldn’t be. They still have to host Belgium, and visit Iceland away.

Iceland have improved recently and won’t be an easy opponent. Should they cause an upset in Belgium in November, the group will be blown wide open and will give Switzerland ample incentive to attack the Red Devils. But Switzerland will be buoyed by this performance, and will go to Iceland on Monday full of determination.

The Uefa Nations League may have polarized fans and coaches alike, but the merit of having a competitive international competition is great for the most ambitious of professionals.

If Switzerland can tighten up their attacking threat against Belgium in November, it’ll be very hard to call how this group finishes.

Iceland can never be written off, owing to their brutal never-say-die mentality.

Belgium, meanwhile, will very pleased with their determination in winning this match in front of their own fans, and will look to consolidate their two victories in their next two games.

The stage is set for a grand finale.