Euro 2016: Kevin de Bruyne says Belgium’s quarter-final clash with Wales ‘will be like home match’

A wave of Belgians is expected to cross the frontier to invade the French city Lille to watch their country take on a Wales opponent that Kevin de Bruyne called “a technically and defensively astute side.”

Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne, centre, Toby Alderweireld, left, and coach Marc Wilmots take part in a training session during the Euro 2016 tournament at Le Haillan, France, on June 28, 2016. AFP / EMMANUShow more

Quarter-finals: Wales v Belgium, Friday, 11pm (UAE time)

Toulouse // Kevin de Bruyne wants Belgium's Euro 2016 quarter-final clash with Wales to be like a home game – the Lille stadium is just 100 kilometres from the Belgian border.

A wave of Belgians is expected to cross the frontier to invade the French city to watch their country take on opponents that De Bruyne called “a technically and defensively astute side.”

Belgium are on a high after their 4-0 rout of Hungary on Sunday that saw Chelsea forward Eden Hazard produce an inspirational display as captain. De Bruyne is counting on the side to produce more of the same.

“I can’t wait for this match, which will be like a home match for us because it’s right on the Belgian border. We’re expecting a lot of fans. We hope we can go all the way in this tournament.”

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The one-sided performance against Hungary in Toulouse has encouraged Belgian hopes that they can emulate their 1980 feat of reaching the final, when they lost to West Germany.

As plaudits poured down on Belgium afteer the dazzling display, manager Marc Wilmots was quick to send a word of caution.

“We’re into the quarter-finals, but we’ve done nothing yet,” said Wilmots, who will be without defender Thomas Vermaelen after he picked up a yellow card to trigger a one-match suspension.

But Belgium head to Lille as favourites – and Wales manager Chris Coleman is happy about that after his side laboured to a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland when they were favourites.

“We were edgy going into the Northern Ireland game as we were expected to win and we work better as the underdog,” Coleman said.

“We have proved that – and people will expect Belgium to win. They had some criticism coming into the tournament and they lost the first game [against Italy].

“But if you have a squad with that quality then any team you play against, apart from maybe two or three, Belgium are favourites.”

But after some topping their group ahead of England, and beating Russia 3-0, Wales will fancy their chances, and Belgian star Yannick Carrasco agrees.

Belgium, who played Wales both in the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 qualifying, failed to win any of their last three meetings against the British side.

Wales also held Belgium twice in Brussels and won 1-0 in Cardiff just over a year ago when Gareth Bale hit the winner.

As a striker with Atletico Madrid, Carrasco knows Real Madrid forward Bale well.

Carrasco said: “Every match is different. Against the Welsh, we have to produce the same performance. They’re a compact and well-drilled side. They’re not going to give us a lot of space. And of course, they have Bale.”

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