Alex Teklak greets Lavia, Belgian midfielder who outplays De Ketelaere against France

Alex Teklak, our Belgian football consultant, said that Roméo Lavia, Chelsea midfielder, is “an exceptionally high‑level midfielder, he can do everything” after the goalless draw between the Red Devils and the French Blues, noting that he preferred the English player's performance to that of De Ketelaere.

Reviewing the match, the football game between the Red Devils and the Blues ended in a goalless draw, reflecting two distinct phases. In the first half, Belgium pressed high, but the French vertical passes often hit the Belgian block. In the second half, the zone provided more stability to the Belgian defence.

Belgian pressure and French breakthroughs

Within the context of Sports, the Belgian pressure created spaces, but the Blues exploited the depth with two to three quick passes, especially early in the match. This ability to pierce the block put the Belgian defenders in difficulty, particularly against the French wingers. Zone play allowed the Belgians to slow down the opponent’s attacks when they were well organised.

Roméo Lavia displayed a broader technical palette than Raskin’s, managing the tempo and taking part in offensive phases. According to Alex Teklak, Lavia is not just a defensive midfielder, he knows how to push the ball forward and initiate actions. This versatility positions him as the all‑round midfielder that Belgium can rely on in the future.

De Ketelaere, however expected as a false nine, struggled to occupy that role and was often “eaten” by the French defence. Teklak believes he should have moved out of the target zone to avoid being neutralised. The lack of a specialist in the front rectangle limited Belgium’s ability to create decisive chances.

Roméo Lavia outwits Red Devils with perfect passing statistics

Decisive defensive errors

On the counter that led to the loss of the ball, Teklak criticises De Cuyper for not committing the necessary foul in the first phase. He adds that one of the two central defenders should have covered Olise to prevent the French progression. These small errors reinforced the perception of a sometimes overly passive defence.

Luka Bakio provided a dynamic surge that surprised the French, creating spaces at the end of the match. Teklak would have liked to exploit those spaces further to turn pressure into clear chances. The player’s speed was one of the few positive points noted in the second half.

Lack of offensive reference

The French defenders applied effective preventative marking, neutralising De Ketelaere’s attempts as soon as he received the ball. Teklak suggests that introducing a breakthrough striker like Openda could have unlocked the situation. Such a profile would have provided the necessary physical presence to counter the French defenders.

For Lavia to realise his full potential, he must avoid injuries, a condition highlighted by the consultant. Teklak also sees Raskin playing a key role in transitions, thanks to his “pitbull” side. Belgium will therefore need to balance creativity and robustness to improve its future performances.