Just hours before the friendly match between Belgium and Ivory Coast, the Elephants’ coach shared his thoughts with L’Equipe. While acknowledging the formidable talent of the Belgian team, Sabri Lamouchi expressed confidence in his own side.
“I have great respect for the Belgian team, but I don’t fear anyone. Ivory Coast has its own strengths to showcase. I hold Belgium in high regard and I specifically requested this match early on. I wanted to face a top footballing nation with immense potential. We aim to deliver a strong performance,” he stated.
Lamouchi emphasized that this friendly match is not about experimentation but rather about assessing the cohesion among his players on the field.
“It will be interesting to see how we respond to adversity (…) This is not a time for trials; it’s an important test. In such matches, it’s crucial to evaluate substance, not just form,” he explained.
Regarding Belgium’s prospects in the World Cup, the Ivorian coach believes they have the capability to reach at least the semi-finals.
“This is the first World Cup for this generation, and we’re unsure how they’ll handle the emotional aspect. We can see the groundwork laid by Marc Wilmots. Ultimately, their performance hinges on their start in the competition. They have a manageable group (Russia, Algeria, South Korea), but every match is unique. I believe Belgium possesses the qualities to reach the last four,” Lamouchi remarked.
For the match against Belgium, Lamouchi traveled with a squad of 27 players. The encounter is set to take place this evening in Brussels.
