Roberto Martinez can't wait to lead an outstanding Belgium side into the World Cup as they prepare to take on Panama in their opening game on Monday.
A team who sit third in the FIFA rankings and who boast what is frequently labelled a golden generation featuring the likes of Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne have come to Russia with a considerable weight of expectation on their shoulders.
They are strongly fancied to progress to the knockout phase as winners of Group G, despite being drawn alongside England, and so it would be a major upset if they slipped up in Sochi against a side making their World Cup debut.
"I would like to see that the team can play a game and not play the World Cup, to see a team where they enjoy the responsibility that they carry," Martinez said at the Fisht Stadium here on Saturday.
"I'm excited. I see the players work, I see them in training, and they are just desperate to perform for the fans back in Belgium." Belgium's results under Martinez have been excellent, with last Monday's 4-1 friendly win over Costa Rica in Brussels meaning they are unbeaten in 19 matches going back almost two years, to the very start of the Spaniard's reign.
"I think we know how strong we are and I hope we can show it in this tournament," said the Napoli forward Dries Mertens, who along with his teammates trained in the shadow of the Sochi stadium on Saturday.
More From This Section
The prospect of facing England in Kaliningrad on June 28 is a mouthwatering one.
All going to plan for these sides, first place will be up for grabs. Then there are Martinez's past links to the Premier League and the presence of Thierry Henry and Englishman Graeme Jones on his coaching staff.
The majority of his squad either play or have played in England, but for now Martinez is only thinking about Panama.
"Getting to the World Cup has been a great result for Panamanian football. I am not expecting an easy game," he said.
- Defensive worries -
=====================