Belgium bringing formidable team to Dublin according to Stephen Kenny

Macdara Ferris reports from FAI HQ

The Republic of Ireland will welcome the world’s number football team to the Aviva Stadium later this month. 

Belgium had said they would not bring players with more than 50 caps but having named their squad this week, Stephen Kenny was quick to note that Roberto Martinez will still have a “formidable” team at his disposal for this match.

“They named the squad this morning and they obviously have a formidable team,” said Kenny when speaking to the media on Friday lunchtime.

extratime.com asked Kenny what he expected from this Belgium team and Kenny listed a number of players that he reckons will catch the eye when they come to Lansdowne Road.

“They said they wouldn't include anyone with 50 caps but they have a few with 47 and 48. Jason Denayer and Derrick Boyata have played in major tournaments for them at the back.

“(Youri) Tielemans is obviously a much sought after player by top European clubs along withLeander Dendoncker and (Hans) Vanaken and their forward players. They have three players for one centre forward position which would be (Christian) Benteke, (Divock) Origi or (Michy) Batshuayi. 

“Then they have (Jeremy) Doku who is a future star and (Leandro) Trossard so they have a lot of top class international calibre players. They are the world number one for a reason with a conveyor belt of players and a strength in depth that is admirable.”

Stephen Kenny selects squad for upcoming friendlies https://t.co/BKGhr1ov1tpic.twitter.com/CnxvbSLPii

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 18, 2022

In the dugout with Martinez for this fixture will be former Republic of Ireland assistant manager Anthony Barry who made the coaching move from the Boys in Green to the Red Devils recently.

Kenny is close to naming Barry’s replacement in his Ireland coaching team. “There is progress. I'm hoping to resolve that. Ideally I'd like to have sorted it out this morning and announced it today. Hopefully it will be announced in the next couple of games. There are a couple of issues to finalise.

Belgium squad in full for Republic of Ireland and Burkina Faso
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thomas Kaminski (Blackburn Rovers), Simon Mignolet (Club Brugge), Matz Sels (Strasbourg)

Defenders: Sebastiaan Bornauw (Wolfsburg), Dedryck Boyata (Hertha Berlin), Jason Denayer (Lyon), Wout Faes (Reims), Arthur Theate (Bologna), Siebe Van der Heyden (Union SG), Thomas Foket (Reims), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Dortmund), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan).

Midfielders: Leander Dendoncker (Wolves), Albert Sambi Lokonga (Arsenal), Orel Mangala (Stuttgart), Youri Tielemans (Leicester), Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)

Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Besitkas), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace), Charles De Ketelaere (Club Brugge), Jeremy Doku (Rennes), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Divock Origi (Liverpool), Leandro Trossard (Brighton & Hove Albion), Yari Verschaeren (Anderlecht), Dante Vanzeir (Union SG).

Kenny admits ‘complex issues’ the reason for Michael Obafemi omission from squad https://t.co/s0wpYzsZzvpic.twitter.com/dbMaL1441C

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 18, 2022