Origi plays down Belgium’s favourites tag vs Hungary

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Belgium are heavy favourites for their clash with Hungary this Sunday, but Divock Origi believes there “is no favourite in football” (via Liverpool FC).

The Liverpool striker hasn’t been a key member of the Belgian side so far, with Romelu Lukaku certainly preferred up front. He’s been a bench-warmer for the most part, getting far less game time than he arguably deserves.

He’ll be hoping to feature against Hungary in the first of Belgium’s knockout games, but he’s convinced it won’t be an easy win by any stretch.

“We are training for this game as usual. We are staying calm,” he said.

“We will determine a strategy with the coach. We all want to play a great match. It will be an interesting match for us.

“Personally, I think that there is no favourite in football. We have to prove our qualities. We have to believe in us. And they will believe in them. So it will be a good game. Of course, we hope to win this match.

“They are a really brave team. The players are not afraid. They fight for each ball. It won’t be easy, they have players with a lot of qualities.”

Belgium are yet to really get going in this year’s Euros, finishing second behind Italy in their group. Their loss against Italy has arguably worked in their favour though, as with Spain finishing behind Croatia in their group, Italy now have a date with the Spaniards while Belgium have what should be a much easier match against Hungary.

Origi’s refusal to recognise Belgium’s favourite’s tag is a very sensible and well rehearsed response, as were he to admit Belgium are heavy favourites only for them to lose, it could make things look much worse.

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Although he didn’t exactly hit the ground running at Liverpool, Origi looks like a fantastic young player. He has a bright future ahead of him, and if he can keep improving at the rate he has been then he’ll be more than capable of going down as a Liverpool great.

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