A lively pro-American crowd is anticipated in Seattle for the last-16 clash between the United States and Belgium on Monday. However, the Belgian squad asserts they are undeterred by the expected atmosphere.
“I think we just have to … show balls on the pitch,” said left-back Maxim De Cuyper on Friday. “Try to play your own game. If you play against 80,000 supporters or with 80,000, you have to try to do the same.”
The Americans have benefited from robust home support throughout the tournament, including in Seattle, where nearly 67,000 fans witnessed the US triumph over Australia in their second group match.
“As soon as it turns a little less good for them, [the crowd] can also turn against them, and they will have more pressure,” noted full-back Timothy Castagne. “So, I don’t have a problem, it doesn’t bother me. We play and we don’t hear what’s going on around the pitch. When we’re on the pitch, we’re a bit in our bubble.”
Previous Encounter and Lessons Learned
This match will not be the first encounter between the two teams this year. In March, Belgium defeated the US convincingly with a score of 5-2 in Atlanta, raising significant doubts about the Americans’ prospects in this World Cup.
“They have been growing a lot since the last friendly game,” remarked Dodi Lukébakio, who netted twice during the March match.
De Cuyper cautioned against overinterpreting Belgium’s win in March, as he described the scoreline as providing a “It was already being said back then that we might face the US at the World Cup,” He also commended Senne Lammens’s crucial contributions during that match, suggesting the outcome could have differed without the goalkeeper’s efforts.
“Of course, many players weren’t there at the time. But it is an advantage that we have already seen them. We are taking things away from it. Although it remains to be seen how they present themselves.” De Cuyper recalled. “I don’t want to say too much, which qualities are the best,”
Adapting to Changes in Opponent’s Lineup
The US will be missing striker Folarin Balogun due to suspension after he received a contentious red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Balogun has been one of the most impactful players for the US in this World Cup, but De Cuyper was reserved when discussing how Belgium would adjust to the absence of key personnel.
“They have a lot of danger in the team.” he said. “absolutely have to adapt to the fact that they play three at the back. I think we have the weapons to hurt them. We had already done it in a friendly in March, but today the context is totally different … in a stadium that will be only for them against us.”
Veteran midfielder Axel Witsel was more straightforward, stating that Belgium will “definitely need to adapt to their three-at-the-back formation. I believe we have the tools to exploit their weaknesses. We did it in a friendly match back in March, but the context has changed dramatically … we’ll be playing in a stadium filled with their supporters.”
