Martinez lined up a "B team" on Thursday night. Players like Simon Mignolet, Dedryck Boyata, Dennis Praet and Jeremy Doku all got their luck in the starting XI. The manager had already indicated that Thibaut Courtois, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen and Eden Hazard would not play, while Kevin De Bruyne (not yet in the squad and probably absent for the first game against Russia) and Axel Witsel were not neither of the game.
Yannick Carrasco has been given the usual Eden Hazard spot and has shown that he will have an important role to play against Russia in the absence of De Bruyne and, perhaps, that of Hazard as the starting . The Atletico de Madrid player put the Belgians on the 1-0 path after twenty minutes following a strong run punctuated by an assist for Thorgan Hazard, who cleverly finished the action.
Very present in the first half, Carrasco should prove to be invaluable for the Devils. Behind him, Hazard also showed some nice things, just like Jeremy Doku, on the right side.
The young Rennes winger gave his direct opponent a hard time and his devastating boost is a significant asset in Martinez's round.
In the second half, Martinez brought in Michy Batshuayi and Dries Mertens in place of Romelu Lukaku and Jeremy Doku.