He had come close to it. In a sumptuous Nations League semi-final, Belgium lost to the France team at the end of the match (2-3) on October 7 in Turin. Obviously, this disillusion has left its mark in the Belgian ranks. In an interview with Eleven Sport, the coach of the Red Devils, Roberto Martinez, returned to this defeat: “We were very good. Our first period was very high quality. But after that we didn't play to win, we mostly played not to lose. And that really changes everything. We are not a team that knows how not to lose, ”analyzed the Spaniard.
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'If we win the 2022 World Cup, it would be nice to continue until 2026.'
- Roberto Martinez is not yet thinking of stopping the Red Devils.
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Watch the full 21 minute interview with Roberto Martinez here: https://t.co/Xcq4IvIfiB!
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- Eleven Sports (FR) (@ElevenSportsBEf) December 25, 2021
"We have the feeling of not having been beaten by our opponent"
For Roberto Martinez, this defeat against the Habs was more difficult to take than that against Italy at the Euro: “After the elimination against Italy this summer, I was really disappointed for my players. I had a hard time accepting it. In the League of Nations it was different, it was more anger. We gave this match "he explained before going into details:" We have the feeling of not having been beaten by our opponent. We are the ones who lost the game. We really felt responsible. But at least that gives us the direction to follow for the next few months ”.
The Blues are warned: the Belgians will want their revenge!
“Now we have clear objectives, assures Martinez.
We have 12 months to correct our second period.
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Despite these disappointments, the Belgian selection remains one of the most formidable in the world of football and even the strongest if we refer to the Fifa rankings.
"I also think that Belgium will remain in the top 5 of the FIFA ranking for the next 15 years", confirms Roberto Martinez.