Belgian Selection for the Finnish Friendly

The Selection

Goalkeepers:

Logan Bailly (Borussia Mönchengladbach/Ger)

Jean-François Gillet (Bari/Ita)

Silvio Proto (Anderlecht)

Defenders:

Laurent Ciman (Standard)

Olivier Deschacht (Anderlecht)

Guillaume Gillet (Anderlecht)

Vincent Kompany (Manchester City/Eng)

Sébastien Pocognoli (Standard)

Nicolas Lombaerts (Zenit Saint-Petersburg/Rus)

Jelle Van Damme (Wolverhampton/Eng)

Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal/Eng)

Midfielders:

Thomas Buffel (KRC Genk)

Kevin De Bruyne (KRC Genk)

Steven Defour (Standard)

Eden Hazard (Lille/Fra)

Jonathan Legear (Anderlecht)

Christophe Lepoint (AA Gent)

Bernd Thijs (AA Gent)

Jan Vertonghen (Ajax/Neth)

Axel Witsel (Standard)

Attackers:

Romelu Lukaku (Anderlecht)

Kevin Mirallas (Olympiakos/Gri)

Christian Benteke (Standard)

A relatively safe selection from Leekens. The most promient names missing are Van Buyten (injured), Fellaini (not match fit yet), Dembele (looking for a new club). Mehdi Carcela and Alderweireld are playing with the under-21 squad in the important qualifier against France. One modest surprise to some is the inclusion of Romelu Lukaku, the 17 year-old Anderlecht striker who is just coming back from a knee injury. Now, Ariel Jacobs, Anderlecht's coach, likely isn't to be too pleased with this decision, but he did bring Lukaku back for an already decided match against The New Saints in European qualifiers.

There isn't too much to say about this selection, so on to the predicted formation for the game. As we know, Leekens likes to play a 4-3-3, so the XI should expected to be lined up in that fashion:

--------------------------------J-F-Gillet----------------------------------------

G-Gillet--------------Kompany--------------Vermaelen-----------------Deschacht

----------------------Defour------------------Vertonghen--------------------------

-----------------------------------Buffel------------------------------------------

-------Legear-----------------------------------------------------------Hazard

-------------------------------Lukaku/Benteke---------------------------------

That's how I believe Leekens will begin the match, though obviously things could change very rapidly. We may see Lukaku sub in late in the game, or he could just start and get subbed off at the half. I'm not too crazy about Buffel as the attacking midfield (might as well take Maarten Martens or Dries Mertens). But he'll probably just hold that role until Fellaini gets back for the Germany game. Check out this blog again after the game, because I'll give a recap with player ratings, if I can find a proper webstream of the match (it's on August 11th in Finland). It's Belgium's only preparation before the Germany match, so let's hope they make it good one.