Belgium’s Eden Hazard denies rift within squad after defeat

Belgium captain Eden Hazard has denied there’s a rift within the squad however stated frank phrases have been exchanged between the gamers following their shock 2-0 World Cup Group F loss to Morocco on Sunday.

Hazard was talking to the media together with skilled goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois on Tuesday after they changed the gamers initially scheduled to speak, Yannick Carrasco and Arthur Theate.

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It was a transfer by crew administration to attempt to quell rising hypothesis that quite a few gamers have fallen out.

“We had a good talk among the players,” Hazard stated. “A lot has been said. We talked for an hour about good things and less good things. Now we want to win against Croatia. We now have two days to prepare. We have to be ready.”

He added: “Nothing happened in the dressing room after the Morocco defeat. Only the manager spoke. Everything said about it is not true. We had a good meeting yesterday between the players and with the technical staff as well. We told each others a lot of things, good and bad.

“Some issues won’t have been common with some gamers however they needed to be stated. We additionally stated that there was nonetheless one other recreation to be performed. We have two days to prepare and that is crucial.”

However, sources have told ESPN words were exchanged between Hazard and Jan Vertonghen after the defeat against Morocco. Kevin De Bruyne also expressed his disappointment after another poor performance.

The argument between Hazard and Vertonghen occurred when the Real Madrid winger told the media on Thursday that the defenders in the team were “previous and sluggish.”

“Jan got here to see me and I instructed him: It is true, you aren’t as fast as you was. And that was it. I nonetheless get on with Jan, I’ve at all times bought on with him. I did not have a struggle with him. I am unable to, he’s greater than me,” Hazard said.

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According to sources, there is a lot of tension within the squad and a number of players are not on speaking terms at the moment.

Courtois, who will earn his 100th cap against Croatia, insisted the reports of a rift in the camp have in fact galvanised the squad.

“The downside is that too many lies are unfold. A scenario is described that does not exist. As a bunch, we have to keep away from that negativity,” he said.

“Everything was clarified yesterday. Everyone has overtly expressed their opinion. Now we’ve to take motion on the sphere. It’s good that we had a bunch dialog. We stated what we thought to one another.

“We have to be honest with each other and fight for each other on the pitch.”

Information from Reuters was included on this report.