Belgium keen to finish top in World Cup qualifying
Belgium will need a collective effort to maintain its unbeaten start to FIFA World Cup qualifying against North Macedonia, accoding to head coach Rudi Garcia.
The Red Devils welcome North Macedonia to Planet Group Arena on Saturday (AEDT), with the two teams separated by just a point in Group J, but Belgium has a game in hand.
Garcia's team also come into the clash with confidence having put together back-to-back 6-0 victories against Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein in the previous international break.
In FIFA World Cup qualifying for next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, only Norway (24) has scored more goals than Belgium (17) in the UEFA qualifiers.
With four games of his side's qualifying campaign remaining, Garcia believes it is imperative to take top spot as soon as possible.
"Macedonia will play its game. Especially on the counter with some long balls. We have to focus on our own strength and be better than in the first match [1-1]," Garcia said.
"It is an opponent that is well-organised and scores few goals. We have to take the lead of the group tomorrow. This can be done by bringing a lot of intensity.
"The first defender has to be our striker, but also vice versa. The first attacker has to be our goalkeeper. It will be a collective story."
But Belgium could be without Charles De Ketelaere, with the midfielder rested from Atalanta's 1-1 draw with Como in Serie A before the international break with muscle fatigue.
"Charles is doing well. It's getting better and better. He trains with us. We will decide about De Ketelaere tomorrow with the medical staff," Garcia said.
"Is he available, or are we not taking any risks? As far as [Amadou] Onana is concerned, it's mainly about match rhythm after his injury. It's fun to play in Ghent.
"It has been sold out for three weeks. In Brussels, in the Baudouin Stadium, it is sometimes half empty.
"Then it is here in these stadiums, just like in Anderlecht. We hope to be pushed by the fans."
While Belgium is the favourite to take all three points, Kevin De Bruyne was quick to remind supporters of their previous encounter with this week's opponent.
Ezgjan Alioski scored an 86th-minute equaliser for North Macedonia after Maxim De Cuyper had given the Red Devils an early lead.
"In Skopje, we played our worst match. Those matches in June are always difficult," De Bruyne said.
"At the end of the season. Not everyone is on the same wavelength, then, something won or not is a difference."
