Eden Hazard is wary of the threat Wales “superstar” Gareth Bale poses to Belgium’s Euro 2016 hopes.
Friday’s intriguingly-poised quarterfinal in Lille will be the countries’ fifth meeting in less than four years.
Chris Coleman’s men edged the last encounter between the nations in Cardiff a year ago, when Belgium were unable to turn domination into goals as they went down 1-0.
Hazard knows they need to display a more ruthless side at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Friday, as well as shackle Real Madrid star man Bale.
“We didn’t create too many chances against Wales in recent times,” the Belgium captain said.
“We struggled to score goals. They’ve got a large defensive block, they play with five at the back, they’re difficult to displace.
“They’ve got top players in the middle of the park and a real superstar up front. I hope that tomorrow’s match will be different to the last one we played against them.
“I hope we can create a lot of chances and score goals”
Belgium approach the quarterfinal buoyed by an impressive 4-0 round-of-16 win against Hungary, with Hazard deservedly being named man of the match in Toulouse.
The attacking midfielder accepts he “didn’t have the best season” at Chelsea but is feeling good ahead of a match in which a thigh complaint had made him a doubt.
“My injury is okay, I was able to train this morning,” Hazard said. “I didn’t feel too much pain.
“We’ve still got 24 hours to go before the match so I can still have some treatment and we’ll do that during the day.”
The trip to French Flanders is a special one for Hazard, having made his first steps into professional football with Lille.
“It’s always nice to come back to Lille,” Hazard said of the club he joined aged 14 and won the Ligue 1 title with five years ago.
“This is where I experienced my first emotions as a footballer.
“It feels great and this is my first time in this stadium. I hope I experience something similar to the previous stadium in Lille.”
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