Kevin De Bruyne delivered a standout performance for the Red Devils with two goals in a 3-0 victory over Turkey on Friday, earning high praise from analyst Marc Degryse reported by Sporza. However, the playmaker’s night was marred by a late yellow card for kicking the ball away, a booking that rules him out of the upcoming fixture against France.
Marc Degryse Applauds De Bruyne Return to Top Form After Turkey Win
Speaking in his analysis with HLN, Marc Degryse highlighted a clear upward trajectory in De Bruyne’s recent international appearances. While his first half against Italy was very good and his outing against France was okay, Degryse noted that the performance against Turkey represented a massive step forward. The midfielder played at the highest level, registering what the analyst called his best international match in a long time. Questions had legitimately surrounded his physical readiness following months on the sidelines with an injury last season, but his omnipresence on the pitch against Turkey showed him back to his best days. Lasting 83 minutes before coming off served as an additional boost for the national squad.
De Bruyne Suspension Draws Criticism from Degryse
Despite the commanding 3-0 scoreline in Liège, the booking De Bruyne received soured the evening. Degryse expressed sharp disapproval over the referee’s decision to caution the Manchester City star for kicking the ball away, calling the yellow card “soft.” The caution triggers an automatic suspension, meaning De Bruyne will watch from the sidelines alongside Youri Tielemans when Belgium meets France. National team manager Mark van Bommel previously denied accusations that the midfielder picked up the card deliberately, stating in remarks defended by the coach: “I think not.”
Tactical Balance and Midfield Dilemmas Under Mark van Bommel
The absence of both De Bruyne and Tielemans leaves head coach Mark van Bommel with a complex tactical puzzle to solve ahead of the France clash. Analyzing the broader team dynamics from the Turkey fixture, fellow analyst Peter Vandenbempt pointed out structural issues in the midfield configuration on Sporza. Vandenbempt observed that deploying Kevin De Bruyne, Hans Vanaken, and Youri Tielemans together left too much open space for opponents, noting that the trio simply does not work within a high-pressing philosophy that demands rapid ball recovery and pace. Vandenbempt contrasted the setup with alternatives like Arthur Laviá, emphasizing that finding a balanced, rotating midfield of complementary players remains a firm challenge for the technical staff as the new international cycle progresses.
Romelu Lukaku and Defensive Positives Provide Optimism
Beyond the midfield adjustments, the victory over Turkey offered several encouraging signs for the squad. Romelu Lukaku netted a crucial goal that provides a welcome lift during his recovery process as the primary striker for the Red Devils, complemented by an explosive sprint on a subsequent scoring opportunity reported by Sporza. Defensively, Senne Lammens provided reliable stability in goal following past scrutiny, while young defender Joel Ngoy continued his steady development. While Vandenbempt noted that the performance against Turkey was perhaps the least cohesive overall package of Van Bommel’s short tenure so far, the general sentiment surrounding the camp remains optimistic regarding team chemistry, public support, and results.
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