Qatar 2022 World Cup Preview, Group F: Michy Batshuayi Becomes Belgium's Key to Opening Morocco's Defense Padlock

Belgium relies on striker Michy Batshuayi when Romelu Lukaku has not been able to play in Qatar's 2022 World Cup group stage match. (chelseafc.com)

JAKARTA - Morocco thrashed Belgium 4-1 in a friendly match in 2008 which was the last time they faced each other. At that time, Belgium had center back Jan Vertonghen and midfielder Axel Witsel who also defended Belgium at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Morocco felt that the moment was not something that could not be repeated. At least they are still the side that can't be beaten even if it's just a draw like they got from Croatia in their first match at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Belgium itself may not care about the past. On the other hand, coach Roberto Martinez will try to push his squad to perform even better than the team that only won 1-0 against Canada in their first game.

Martinez himself called his team's performance against Canada the worst in six years coaching Belgium. He wants his team to perform much better when challenged by Morocco in the second match of Group F at the Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday night. Martinez wants Belgium to hold the top 16 ticket as soon as possible.

"We have to step up our game," said Matinez. "We didn't win (against Canada) because of our normal talent and quality."

To boost his team's performance, Martinez feels his team must be injected with new energy that not only raises team morale but also undermines the opponent's mentality, and that new energy is Romelu Lukaku.

The striker, who has always been a terror for opponents, has returned to full training since being sidelined for a long time since August due to thigh and hamstring problems.

But maybe Martinez doesn't want to rush to install Lukaku because this player is more needed by Belgium in the knockout stages to intimidate opponents so that they lose concentration on playing.

It's not only Belgium who are faced with an uncertain situation regarding their flagship player, because Morocco is also worried about one of its key players after Noussair Mazraoui was stretchered off the field during a 0-0 draw against Croatia.

Coach Walid Reragui can only hope that Mazraoui can quickly overcome his hip injury so that he can start in time against Morocco.

The full-back performed so well against Croatia that Walid Reragui himself said he had laid the groundwork for the team which could mean a lot against Belgium later.

"I've only been here two months and I'm proud of all the players. We'll wait for the result against Belgium, and then we'll try to qualify for the last 16 against Canada," Reragugui said with confidence.

Match Scenario

Although Roberto Martinez is desperate for Romelu Lukaku to be available this weekend, Belgium's top scorer may not be ready to start.

This made Michy Batshuayi again a starter in a spearhead position flanked by Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard on both wings of attack in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Batshuayi is the most ideal deputy for Lukaku because he has proven productive while defending the national team. Since his debut with the national team in 2015, he has played 49 matches to produce 27 goals or an average of around one goal per two matches.

That's not all, his goal against Canada in the first match of Group F three days ago made it difficult for Batshuayi to be ruled out by Roberto Martinez.

Instead he will be ready to bombard Morocco with the playmaker duo, De Bruyne and Hazard.

The presence of Axel Witsel and Youri Tielemans as the masters of the midfield, made the Belgian attacking trio more comfortable pressing Morocco, which on paper is no stronger than Canada, who topped the World Cup qualifiers in the Concacaf zone.

Roberto Martinez may field two new starters on the defensive wing, namely Thomas Meunier on the right and Amadou Onana on the left. Meanwhile, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen and Leander Dendoncke continued to fill in the three-back formation in front of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Martinez still has a number of substitutes who could make a big difference against Morocco, including Lois Openda and Leandro Trossard.

Meanwhile, Morocco will again entrust the midfield to be led by Sofyan Amrabat despite receiving a yellow card against Croatia.

Success in holding Croatia's series a guarantee that coach Walid Reragui will not change Morocco's starting eleven.

He will continue to pair centre-back duo Romain Saiss and Nayef Aguerd with two wing-backs, each Achraf Hakimi on the right and Noussair Mazraoui on the left to protect Yassine Bounou who is under the Moroccan goal.

Croatia is having a hard time breaking into this Moroccan defensive quartet and it is likely that Belgium will also face a similar situation unless it adds more creativity both in the middle and on both wings.

But before thinking about going there, Belgium must be careful not to open up space for the Moroccan trident consisting of Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri and Sofiane Boufal who often trouble opponents like when they faced Croatia three days ago.

Statistics for Both Teams

Belgium and Morocco first met at the 1994 World Cup. Belgium won 1-0 in the group phase match. Five years later won 4-0 in a friendly in Liege. In contrast, in 2008, Morocco won 4-1 in a friendly in Brussels.

Belgium topped the FIFA rankings since September 2018 shortly after finishing third in that year's World Cup in Russia. But in March this year his position was ousted by Brazil,

Axel Witsel made his debut, while Jan Vertonghen made his seventh appearance as Morocco beat Belgium 4-1 in a friendly in Brussels in March 2008. Both players have now won more than 100 caps for Belgium.

In the Moroccan squad there are four players born in Belgium, including Bilal El Khannouss and Anass Zaroury who have defended the Belgian junior national team. The other two are Selim Amallah and Ilias Chair.

Predicted lineups

Belgium: Thibaut Courtois (GK); Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Leander Dendoncker; Thomas Meunier, Amadou Onana, Axel Witsel, Yannick Carrasco; Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard; Michy Batshuayi

Morocco: Yassine Bounou (GK); Achraf Hakimi, Nayef Aguerd, Romain Saiss, Noussair Mazraoui; Azzedine Ounahi, Sofyan Amrabat, Selim Amallah; Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri, Sofiane Boufal