Euro 2016: Thibaut Courtois savages Marc Wilmots’ tactics for a second time in wake of Belgium’s defeat to Wales
THIBAUT COURTOIS has blasted Marc Wilmots’ tactics for a second time after Belgium crashed out of Euro 2016 to Wales.
Despite taking the lead through a stunning Radja Nainggolan strike, Eden Hazard and co were quickly pegged back by a powerful header from Ashley Williams.
Hal Robson-Kanu then channelled his inner John Cruyff to put the Welsh ahead with the goal of the tournament before Sam Vokes made sure of victory with five minutes remaining.
It was Belgium’s second defeat of the tournament, having lost to Antonio Conte’s Italy in the group stages, and Courtois was highly critical of his manager’s set-up in the wake of the defeat to the Azzurri.
Belgium were undone by Italy’s 3-5-2 formation, and Courtois has gone on the front-foot again after Wales deployed the same formation in Lille on Friday night.
The Chelsea goalkeeper believes Wilmots failed to learn from the mistakes of the Italy game, and reckons the defeat is the biggest disappointment of his career so far.
“Against a 3-5-2, we played with the same tactics and encountered the same problems.
“We started the match well and created two or three chances and we scored one, but then we got pushed back too deep and we left plenty of space.
“They had more chances than us and were more dangerous. I said what I had to say in the dressing room after the game.
“I pointed the finger where it had to be pointed. We’re young and we’re going to be together for a long time, but it’s a disappointment because we had a golden chance to go to the final.
“This is the biggest disappointment of my career and I’ve played [and lost] a Champions League final.”