Belgium National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

De Bruyne (Vandenberg/R.Braine) · Van Himst (Lukaku/Coppens) · Ceulemans (Scifo/Voorhoof) · Jurion (Van Der Elst/Lemberechts) · Hazard (F.Carrasco/Mertens) · Kompany (Vermaelen/Verbiest) · Gerets (Grun/Paverick) · Van Moer (M.Dembele/Alderweireld CB) · Preu d'homme (Pfaff/Courtois) · Meeuws (A.Witsel/F.Van der Elst) · Vertonghen (Van Brandt/Swartenbroeks)

The Red Devils aim to play with a high press and catch opponents on the break. Belgium utilizes a 5-2-3 formation to create numbers in the back and speed in the front. This lineup is built to play a vertical style of football. The team looks to win the ball back high up the pitch and hit in behind on the transition to catch the opposition out of position.

Preu d'homme stays between the posts to protect the goal. The back five consists of a central trio of Kompany, Meeuws, and Van Moer. Kompany acts as a ball playing defender who can step up to intercept plays and carry the ball forward. Vertonghen and Gerets act as attacking wing backs, looking to spread wide and overlap the winger to provide width. This unit defends zonally to keep the team compact when the opponent has the ball.

The midfield features a double pivot consisting of De Bruyne and Ceulemans. De Bruyne uses his passing range to create from deep and find the feet of the striker. Ceulemans works to cover the central zone and protect the defense when the wing backs push high. This pair connects the defensive and attacking lines by recycling possession and searching for the right moment to play through the lines or switch play.

The front line uses three attackers to stretch the opposition. Hazard and Jurion operate as inverted wingers who cut inside to find space. Hazard uses his dribbling style to pull wide and isolate defenders in one on one situations. Van Himst acts as a pressing centre-forward to pressure the opposition back line and force a long ball. This formation encourages runs in behind and allows the team to attack in combinations when moving forward.

The formation offers clear tactical advantages such as wide overloads from the overlapping wing backs of Vertonghen and Gerets. It also provides high speed of transition when the team wins the ball in the middle third. By having three attackers, Belgium can often pin the last defender and create many chances to exploit the space between the lines.

The Belgium lineup is designed for high press and rapid counter attacks. This 5-2-3 formation is best suited for facing teams that play a high line and leave space behind the defense.