Despite it being Roberto Martinez’s first game in charge of a completely new team, having only worked with them for three days before facing Spain, a lot has been made in Belgium about their national team’s loss at the hands of Julian Lopetegui’s side.
The 2-0 defeat, from two David Silva goals, caused the fans to boo their team off the pitch, as their expectations of their talented squad are unsurprisingly high.
With a World Cup qualifier against Cyprus around the corner, the players are all out trying to defuse the situation, explaining the new manager needs time, etc.. etc… etc…
Among those happens to be Toby Alderweireld, speaking to DH, who said: “Of course we asked ourselves a few questions. We know we weren’t very good and need to do better. The best way to do this is to work.
“The new manager came in, with a new philosophy. We need more time to play in the manner he wants us to. It’s a normal process.”
Alderweireld also explained Martinez was a very talkative coach, who liked to chat to each player personally, which he himself appreciated.
The whole team seems aware they need to do better, and perhaps the Belgian media need to give them the breathing space to allow them to do just that.
Although, let’s be honest, the English press aren’t much better with England’s national team.
Expectations, expectations, expectations.
