Hazard: Kompany-less Belgium can cope vs Finland

The Chelsea attacker admits Belgium are feeling the absence of their captain but has backed the squad to manage vs Finland.

Belgian dribbler Eden Hazard has backed his country to make light of the absence of Vincent Kompany against Finland with the quality they have in the squad.

The Finland friendly is Belgium’s penultimate warmup before the Red Devils have to tackle Italy in their opening Euro 2016 game.

The injury to Vincent Kompany, a man regarded not only regarded as a captain but also a true leader of the squad, is a big blow to Marc Wilmots’ men.

The Manchester City defender’s absence has seen Hazard promoted to the post of captain, and Wilmots has had to reshuffle the defense to fill the huge gap.

The Chelsea speedster is however confident that the team can handle themselves without the defender.

“Obviously we’ve lost our captain, the leader of the team – that’s not easy, like France who’ve lost Raphael Varane,” he said.

“But, honestly, we have quality in defence and everyone in the team is ready.

Nearly everyone is at 100 per cent, we’re not worried. And up front, we have maybe the best generation.”

Belgium are the team ranked highest by FIFA at Euro 2016 and second in the world after Argentina. Many analysts have labelled them tournament favorites due to the quality in their squad.

Hazard is however very hesitant to accept the high rating being given to the Red Devils.

“Favourites? No, I don’t think so,” he added.

“France are playing at home, Spain, Germany and then maybe we’re just behind.”

Despite a poor season that has seen the attacking midfielder relinquish his PFA Player of the Season award, Hazard is confident he can hit the ground running for his country.

“Everyone knows the season I’ve just had, I’m not going to repeat that I’ve had a bad season, it’s over,” he said.

“The last match in which I gave everything was against PSG in the Champions League (in March), after that I was injured.

“The injury broke up my season a little bit but also allowed me to come back at 100 per cent.

“Then I finished the season well with Chelsea. I’m arriving at the Euros at 100 per cent, at full strength – hopefully it will go well.”