Oh man that was bad.
If I wasn't a rabid fan of the Rode Duivels, I'd have stopped watching after half-time. A low-intensity, poorly contested match, Belgium went down meekly to an average Finland 1-0. The only goal of the game resulted from a big deflection off of Vincent Kompany in the first half. It was quite similar to the goal Belgium conceded against Bulgaria in their last match: a counter attack on the right flank was cut back to the striker just inside the Belgian 16. The Finn struck the ball against Kompany and this left Logan Bailly flat-footed. There really isn't much to discuss in terms of noticeable events so on to the ratings.
Logan Bailly, 4: Very slow to react to the deflection and way too many nervy moments, even though Finland rarely threatened. Very disappointing and I'm pretty sure he won't be lining up against Germany in 3 weeks time.
Guillaume Gillet, 3: He was likely the worst player on the field today, but since we have no other rightbacks, there was no alternative. He got beat on the defensive end way too often and he left much too much room behind him. On the attacking end, he added little besides a couple of wayward volleys.
Vincent Kompany, 5: Too casual in the first half and didn't look his quality self today. He did give a nice ball to Benteke for Belgium's best chance in the game.
Thomas Vermaelen, 6: An okay outing. Never looked too troubled by Finland's attack and by the end of the game he was Belgium's most attacking player with a lot of forays into the opposing half. That does seem like a role more suited to full back than a centre back though. You can see where I'm going with this.
Nicholas Lombaerts, 4: Never looked comfortable at left back. He was reluctant to go forward and when defending he stayed too close to the middle, giving the Finnish wingers too much space. Subbed at the half.
Jan Vertonghen, 5: Pretty invisible (which isn't too bad for a defensive midfielder). Had a rocket of a shot saved at the end of the first half.
Axel Witsel, 3: Everything he tried, just didn't work. No lack of effort, but that doesn't win football matches. He seemed like he was unfamiliar with his teammates and his position.
Jelle Van Damme, 4: At one point in the first half he was playing as a forward. Not really his position. Didn't do much of anything really. Don't count on him starting against Germany.
Kevin De Bruyne, 6: Had some nice crosses, but he just didn't receive the ball enough from his teammates. Still, it was a promising debut and a lone bright spot for Belgium.
Eden Hazard, 6: Best player on the field for Belgium, but that isn't saying much. He kept the ball in his possesion for more than needed and his crosses weren't great. But his attacking threat was the most noticeable of the entire team.
Christian Benteke, 4: His poor rating is partly due the atrocious service provided by midfield. But he wasn't great either, with poor touches and bad positioning. May need a couple of years to mature before being ready as an international.
Normally I'd give the subs a rating, but they didn't really add anything to the team. Pocognoli, a true left back, was better than the misplaced Lombaerts, but it had little effect on the game. The second half was a little better in terms of defending the counter, but that was more likely a result of the change in formation from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2. Georges Leekens has a lot to figure out in the coming weeks, because this was just not good enough from any standpoint.
On a positive note, Belgium's under-21 team beat the French in an important qualifier, 1-0, so well done to them.
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