»Farewell, Belgium’s Golden Generation!« (Nd current)

The paint is off. Belgium’s golden generation around Kevin De Bruyne will probably remain untitled. After another early failure in a tournament, this time against masterful Italians (1: 2) in the EM quarter-finals, the team is facing a restructuring. Coach Roberto Martinez leaves his future open, on the defensive the Belgians need a makeover.

“Football can be cruel sometimes,” Martinez stated on Friday evening. The Spaniard took over the highly talented, who had stagnated under his predecessor Marc Wilmots, after the 2016 European Championships and seemed to be able to unleash their full potential. The world number one around Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard & Co. could not reach more than third place at the 2018 World Cup. “Farewell, Belgium’s golden generation, who might be doomed to fail as soon as the name was imposed on them,” commented “The Guardian” in England. “This was perhaps the last chance a golden generation from Belgium had to land at the top,” said “NOS” in the Netherlands.

“The disappointment is great,” admitted De Bruyne, who had great moments against the tactically brilliant Italians, but not the very big ones. “It’s been four or five crazy weeks for me personally,” said the Manchester City director. »First the injury in the Champions League final, then against Portugal. I really have to thank our medical staff, they went out of their way to let me play. Because it’s actually a miracle. ”De Bruyne was on a ride into hell. In the lost final of the premier class at the end of May, the 30-year-old suffered a broken nose and eye socket after a collision with the German national player Antonio Rüdiger from Chelsea FC. Against the Portuguese on Sunday a week ago, ligaments tore in his left ankle.

“It is clear that the young are coming,” said De Bruyne, who at 30 is one of the more experienced. The Jeremy Doku (19) from Stade Rennes, who is swirling against Italy, belongs to the next generation in the attack, a Dries Mertens (34) is only a supporting actor. The Belgians will have to rejuvenate themselves, especially in defense, around record national players Jan Vertonghen (34), Thomas Vermaelen (35) and Toby Alderweireld (32). And the rest? He could attack again – at least at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. In the documentary or midfielder of the 24-year-old Youri Tielemans, new top players are already on the way. dpa / nd