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Cape Town - Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen insists that his side have
nothing to fear as they prepare for a quarter-final clash with
Argentina.
Marc Wilmots' men face the unenviable task of trying to cage an inspired Lionel Messi when the two teams face off on Saturday. While Argentina as a whole have not reached the level many expected they would, Messi has proved hard to stop, as he almost single handedly dragged the South American outfit into the last eight.
Despite this, Vertonghen believes that the Rode Duivels have what is required to keep Messi quiet and progress to the semi-finals.
"We are a team that is difficult for an opponent to play against. We are certainly not scared," asserted the Tottenham defender.
"We have to stand together. If Messi gets past one of us, there must be a second and third player to stop him."
Belgium have been criticised for failing to hit their straps at the tournament, with a seemingly potent midfield and attack having looked rather tame thus far.
However, midfielder Axel Witsel believes that it's not surprising that their play hasn't been as free flowing as it was in the build-up to the tournament.
"It is understandable that in the group phase we played against cagey teams and found it difficult against them," he said.
"Against the Americans there was much more room and I expect Argentina to look to dictate the play.
"Hopefully that gives us room to infiltrate and our players can profit from the gaps they offer.
"We have a lot of players with pace. The Argentines haven't played well to date."
Marc Wilmots' men face the unenviable task of trying to cage an inspired Lionel Messi when the two teams face off on Saturday. While Argentina as a whole have not reached the level many expected they would, Messi has proved hard to stop, as he almost single handedly dragged the South American outfit into the last eight.
Despite this, Vertonghen believes that the Rode Duivels have what is required to keep Messi quiet and progress to the semi-finals.
"We are a team that is difficult for an opponent to play against. We are certainly not scared," asserted the Tottenham defender.
"We have to stand together. If Messi gets past one of us, there must be a second and third player to stop him."
Belgium have been criticised for failing to hit their straps at the tournament, with a seemingly potent midfield and attack having looked rather tame thus far.
However, midfielder Axel Witsel believes that it's not surprising that their play hasn't been as free flowing as it was in the build-up to the tournament.
"It is understandable that in the group phase we played against cagey teams and found it difficult against them," he said.
"Against the Americans there was much more room and I expect Argentina to look to dictate the play.
"Hopefully that gives us room to infiltrate and our players can profit from the gaps they offer.
"We have a lot of players with pace. The Argentines haven't played well to date."
