Belgian national team coach Roberto Martinez could feel that he is “forced” into starting Romelu Lukaku in today’s World Cup group stage clash with Croatia.
This according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, who suggest that the coach could feel his hand is forced by the fact that the match is virtually must-win for the Red Devils.
Martinez will have a lot of reflecting to do in deciding on the lineup and approach for this evening’s match against Croatia.
Belgium’s “golden generation” could be facing their last chance to earn a tangible reward, but only if they reach the knockouts in Qatar.
Accordingly, Martinez will have little option but to go with his strongest possible starting eleven.
In this respect, the coach would obviously want to start with Lukaku, the team’s “talismanic” centre-forward.
However, the Inter striker’s lingering injury and fitness issues mean that there is no guarantee that he’ll be at his best, and, worse, that a start could well compromise his fitness.
Martinez will assess Lukaku in training among other factors in his decision, but his choice could well be made for him by the gravity of the occasion.