Samuel Mbangula has thrust himself into contention for a senior Belgium call-up after scoring a hat-trick for Bologna in a 4-2 win against AC Milan at San Siro. The 22-year-old winger, currently on loan at Bologna from Werder Bremen, delivered his first goals of the season on Wednesday to spark immediate debate over the national team selection.
San Siro Hat-Trick Forces Selection Rethink
Playing away in Milan, Mbangula dismantled the hosts with three goals to secure the 4-2 Serie A victory. The performance revived his profile among Belgian supporters and caught the attention of transfer analyst Sacha Tavolieri, who publicly advocated for the forward’s inclusion in a 26-man squad. National team coach Mark van Bommel faces decisions ahead of upcoming fixtures following the breakthrough display. While Mbangula has previously represented Belgium at youth levels and received call-ups for the Jonge Duivels, he has yet to make his senior international debut.
🚨🔴🔵 Samuel Mbangula has agreed to join Bologna from Werder Bremen, here we go!Verbal agreement in place for the winger to return to Italy and join Bologna.This will unlock Rowe’s move to Atalanta. 🔓 pic.twitter.com/ENvvcnHnEu
November Fixtures Test Van Bommel Roster
Belgium returns to competitive action in November with two matches that will test the depth of Van Bommel’s squad. The Red Devils travel to face Turkey on November 12, before returning home to host Italy three days later on November 15. The coach may welcome back Jérémy Doku for these fixtures, as the winger missed the previous international window.
Squad Turnover Creates New Winners and Losers
Reflecting on Van Bommel’s initial four matches in charge—which included fixtures against Italy, Turkey, and two against France—analyst Peter Vandenbempt offered an assessment of the squad dynamics to Sporza. While the coaching philosophy differs from the previous regime under Rudi Garcia, the core personnel has seen selective changes. Mika Godts and Roméo Lavia emerged as the primary discoveries of the recent break, seizing their opportunities alongside contributions from Dodi Lukebakio, Senne Lammens, and Joaquin Seys.
Conversely, squad rotation has left certain established names on the outside looking in. Sporting Lissabon central defender Zeno Debast has slipped down the pecking order behind Nathan Ngoy and Brandon Mechele. Vandenbempt questioned the management of Debast, noting that a player once viewed as a foundational pillar has transitioned into a peripheral role. Similar questions surround Koni De Winter, who remains a starter for AC Milan in a demanding defensive environment yet spent recent international matches on the bench, alongside Arthur Theate.
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