Mohamed Barakat Urges Strong Defense for Egypt Against Belgium Due to Lukaku

Mohamed Barakat, a former star of Egyptian football, emphasized the need for the national team to bolster its defense ahead of the upcoming match against Belgium. He pointed out that the presence of Romelu Lukaku could pose a significant challenge for Egypt.

During a television interview, Barakat highlighted the importance of solid defensive play after observing the recent match between Mexico and South Africa in the 2026 World Cup. He noted that Mexico deserved their victory largely due to strong fan support.

Analysis of South Africa’s Performance

Barakat remarked that South Africa’s performance was lacking, while Mexico displayed greater efficiency, positioning them as favorites to top their group despite not being expected to advance far in the tournament.

Regarding Egypt’s match against Brazil, he stated, “The goal we conceded was due to repeated mistakes from Marwan Attia and Ziko.” He stressed the necessity for improved defensive performance, especially against Belgium.

On the Belgian team, Barakat mentioned that age should be considered as their midfield includes older players, which could add physical strain during the match.

He also praised Helmy Toulane’s perspective on playing style, asserting that the approach taken in this match will be crucial. Barakat suggested a formation that emphasizes defensive security with players like Hamdi Fathy, Mohamed Abdel-Moneim, and Yasser Ibrahim to strengthen the backline.