“No way, we’re too old.” With these words, Belgium star Kevin De Bruyne made himself (31) in an interview with the “Guardian” no friends in their own ranks. So he doesn’t think Belgium can win the World Cup.
After the 2-0 defeat against Morocco, the “Red Devils” are now on dark red alert. Coach Roberto Martínez had to admit: “We are no longer ourselves with the ball. We are afraid and no longer play with passion.”
In addition, the De Bruyne statement made waves in the team – with severe consequences. Because now the stars are attacking each other!
A performance to fall in love with
Filling jug: Funny saying on TV
Those: Magenta Sport
Defender Jan Vertonghen (35), who apparently felt addressed by de Bruyne, taunted the Manchester City superstar: “I assume that we play badly up front because we’re too old up front.”
Eden Hazard (31) pointed out that Belgium doesn’t “have the three fastest centre-backs in the world, but they know that.”
Vertonghen continued: “There are a lot of things on my mind that I’d better not say, or at least not outside of the dressing room. It’s very frustrating today.” He also gave Thibaut Courtois (30), who was to blame for both goals, a bad hair: “They scored two identical goals, two short post. The ball must never go in.”
In Belgium it feels like everyone is shooting against everyone!
Just how isolated De Bruyne seems to be in the team is revealed in a post-match photo posted by the Belgium national team…
Romelu Lukaku gives a speech. Everyone is standing arm-in-arm in a circle – except for De Bruyne, who is hanging his arms. Team spirit definitely looks different.
The newspapers in Belgium shoot accordingly against their superstar.
Het Laatste Nieuws writes: “De Bruyne frustrates the others and is frustrated because it doesn’t work himself.”
Het Nieuwsblad headlines: “What’s the matter with De Bruyne?”
De Staandard asks: “Can someone shake De Bruyne up?”
Apparently he doesn’t really have the support of the team. Especially because de Bruyne himself has played a weak World Cup so far. Only Timothy Castagne (26) publicly defends the City star: “Well, it’s not just Kevin who has to lead the team. Each opponent puts a man on him. We have to make sure he gets into the best positions. We haven’t seen the real Belgium yet. It’s time to wake up.”
The next Belgium game is on Thursday. At 4 p.m. it is against Croatia of all places – a win is a must!
