Belgium vs. Spain: Key Players, Head-to-Head Record for International Friendly

Belgium take on Spain in an international friendly at the King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, on Thursday evening in what will be a debut for both managers, Roberto Martinez and Julen Lopetegui.

After a disappointing Euro 2016, which ended in a humbling 3-1 defeat to Wales in the quarter-finals, Belgium replaced head coach Marc Wilmots with former Everton manager Martinez, who has since drafted in France goalscoring legend Thierry Henry as a coach. 

Martinez told a press conference last week that Henry will be an important figure in the backroom staff. 

"He's someone that has been in the situation of having to develop a mentality as a team, to chase the dream of winning something special. He did that with his country back in 1996, leading up to (World Cup) 1998," Martinez said, per the Press Association (h/t MailOnline). 

Virginia Mayo/Associated Press

Spain also suffered a relatively poor tournament in France and bowed out to Italy in the last 16.

Former FC Porto boss Lopetegui will have his work cut out if he is to emulate the success of the retired Vicente del Bosque, who steered his nation to a World Cup victory in 2010 and the European Championship crown in 2012.

Although Thursday's game is billed as a friendly and both sides have two World Cup 2018 qualifying matches in the coming weeks to negotiate, neither manager will want to get off to losing start in the Belgian capital.

Here is how the two nations have fared against each other since they first met in 1921, provided by 11v11.com: 

	Matches	Belgium Win	Draw	Spain Win
FIFA World Cup	8	2	0	6
UEFA European Championship	3	1	1	1
International Friendly	10	2	3	5
Total	21	5	4	12

Both sides were set to meet for a clash in November, but the game in Brussels had to be postponed over security concerns after a spate of terror attacks in Paris a week before, per BBC Sport.

Here are some of the key players and battles that could decide the outcome of this clash. 

Key Players

Michy Batshuayi vs. Diego Costa

JOHN THYS/Getty Images

Belgium have an embarrassment of attacking talent in their squad. Despite an indifferent season at Liverpool, Christian Benteke was recently snapped up by Crystal Palace, while Everton’s Romelu Lukaku scored 18 Premier League goals last season under Martinez.

However, the pair now face stiff competition for their places in the team from the rapidly maturing Michy Batshuayi, who has made an impressive beginning to his Chelsea career after securing a move from Olympique de Marseille in July.

The 22-year-old boasts all of the traits to become one of the world’s top strikers. He can win tussles against the strongest of defenders, has great positional sense—he scored his first league goal for Chelsea after pouncing on a fumble by Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes on Saturday—and is excellent at bringing team-mates into play. He also set up Diego Costa for his late winner against West Ham United after coming off the bench.

The youngster will be hoping to not only start the coming games for his country but add to his tally of three international goals, building on a strong opening month to his season.

Should Batshuayi register some impressive displays he could even force Chelsea head caoch Antonio Conte to give him a starting berth, perhaps over Costa, in the league.

However, Costa is raring to go this season, according to a recent tweet: 

The Brazil-born forward is a controversial figure. Former Premier League official Howard Webb wrote in the Times (h/t the Evening Standard) that he should have been sent off against West Ham and Watford before scoring the winning goal.

The 6'2" striker appears to be back to his free-scoring self after an injury-hit second season at Chelsea last term. Now the former Atletico Madrid man looks fully fit and is scaring Premier League defences with his pace, strength and sheer determination.

Costa combines energetic displays with the ability to score from headers, crisp finishes from distance and at close range. The 27-year-old has only scored one goal for Spain in 10 games, and the striker will be relishing the chance to play against Belgium's inconsistent defence.   

David Silva vs. Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City midfielders David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne have made impressive starts to this campaign with their team charging to three victories out of three.

The diminutive Silva has amassed 103 caps for Spain since his debut in 2006, but his contribution—often from the bench in the last few years—has been overshadowed by the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

The left-footed playmaker started every game for his country in Euro 2016 and has been an ever-present for City so far this season.

Despite an injury-hit spell last term, he managed to assist 11 league goals, according to ESPN FC. With his deft first touch and ability to split teams open with clever passes, he is going to trouble this Belgian defence.

Michel Spingler/Associated Press/Associated Press

The 30-year-old has been playing alongside De Bruyne in the centre of the park for City, fitting into Pep Guardiola's new system at the club. 

The Belgian, 25, has established himself as one of Europe’s top midfielders since leaving Chelsea in 2014, with the attack-minded player noted for his ability to score, assist and take brilliant set pieces. Both Silva and De Bruyne have the quality to dictate in their nation's favour.

De Bruyne cost City a whopping £55 million from Wolfsburg last year, but he has proved to be a shrewd piece of business.

Last season he bagged seven goals and assisted nine league goals, meaning he will be an unwanted nuisance for Spain's new-look defence in what should prove to be a tight encounter.