Back from France, Laurent Ciman is dying to return to the field.
Although Euro 2016 with Belgium was a great journey, it does sound like the general wanted a bit more out of it. In the end, Ciman only played 76 minutes against Italy – at right back – in this competition which wrapped up, for Belgium, with a 3-1 quarterfinal defeat by Wales.
Ciman was itching to play that game, all the more so given that, with an injury to Jan Vertonghen and a suspension to Thomas Vermaelen, the door was open at his preferred centre back position.
“But the coach [Marc Wilmots] had to choose between youth and experience,” Ciman said after the Impact training session on Monday morning. “Alas – and I don’t know for what reason –, it didn’t go my way.”
Wilmots opted for a Meunier-Alderweireld-Denayer-Lukaku defence. Belgium took the lead in the first quarter-hour and had chances “to put the final nail in the coffin,” Ciman said.
“Sadly, we couldn’t do it when the right time came,” he said. “They got one back on a set piece, Hal Robson-Kanu scored a superb goal, we push and we get caught on the counter. Should we have adapted to their system? These are questions that will always remain, because what’s done is done. It serves no purpose to wonder whether the coach should have done such or such thing. I’m just saying that, for myself, I wish I could have done more to help this team.”
In spite of it all, the “exceptional” experience pleased Ciman, who praised Italy head coach Antonio Conte and his players. While Ciman thought that the Italians would go all the way before Germany knocked them out, he now tips Portugal, “with the luck they’ve had,” to reach the final against the French or the Germans.
But returning home last weekend did Ciman a lot of good. After a welcome reunion with wife Diana and their two children, Ciman has already set his sights on this coming Saturday’s game against Real Salt Lake.
“You know how I am on and off the field. I’m back here. I’m like a hound, eager to go on the field, play football and take part in games. I can’t wait for Saturday. I’ll be greatly motivated, and I’ll urge the team on to bring something back from there.”
