Tag: BELGIUM

Courtois unhappy with Belgium coach, confirms he will miss Euros 2024 due to injury

Real Madrid goalie Thibaut Courtois has confirmed that he will miss the Euros 2024 tournament with Belgium due to injury. Courtois is currently undergoing a recovery programme, after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury. In an interview with Sporza, he revealed his decision not to participate in the upcoming competition in Germany, citing the need to focus on his recovery. “Due to the injury, there will be no European Championship for me. First, I have to recover 100% completely, and then it is better not to set a date for it.

Belgian international Thibaut Courtois – Getty image “If I am lucky, I can play another match in May. But you can never be 100% ready for a big tournament,” he added. Courtois also addressed a previous incident where he left the Belgium camp abruptly, expressing regret for his actions and apologizing to the team and fans. He explained that he felt frustrated with Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco’s decision to award the captaincy to Romelu Lukaku instead of him. “On Saturday of the match, a few hours before kick-off, Tedesco called Lukaku and me in. When he said that Romelu was captain against Austria and I was captain against Estonia on Tuesday, something broke inside me,” Courtois revealed. “It no longer worked. The fact that I no longer felt the appreciation of the federation or the coach made something explode inside me,” he said. He further criticized Tedesco, alleging that the coach had given inconsistent explanations for his captaincy decisions and had threatened to expose him if he spoke out about the issue. He also mentioned feeling ignored by Tedesco during his first international break with the coach, despite being one of the team’s captains.

De Bruyne delivers a masterclass as Belgium defeats Germany

Manchester City star, Kevin De Bruyne was back to doing what he does best during a Euro 2024 qualifiers match between Belgium and Germany on Tuesday, March 28. The Domenico Tedesco-led team who were visitors in the game outclassed their opponents in the first half and took the lead when Yannick Carrasco fired in. Romelu Lukaku then converted from Kevin de Bruyne’s pass to make it 2-0 before Niclas Fullkrug reduced the deficit from the penalty spot.

De Bruyne however, made it 3-1 after a swift Belgium attack before Serge Gnabry added a late consolation for the Germans. The victory was Belgium’s second in four days after a Lukaku hat-trick ensured a win over Sweden in their opening Euro 2024 qualifier on Friday, March 24.

BELGIUM Bruyne defeats DELIVERS GERMANY masterclass

Kai Havertz leaves Germany’s camp before Belgium clash after suffering fitness setback

23-year-old Chelsea star, Kai Havertz has pulled out of international duty for Germany after suffering a fitness setback.

The German national team confirmed on Sunday, March 26, that Havertz and defender Nico Schlotterbeck had withdrawn from their squad ahead of the friendly clash against Belgium on March 28. Havertz has pulled out due to illness, while Dortmund defender Schlotterbeck has a thigh problem. Havertz is now also a minor concern for Chelsea’s Premier League return against Aston Villa on April 1. Thankfully for the club’s coach, Graham Potter, it is not a muscular issue but instead an illness. Havertz started Germany’s friendly against Peru days ago, setting up one goal and missing a second-half penalty in a 2-0 win.

BELGIUM camp clash fitness Germanys Havertz Kai leaves setback Suffering

Thierry Henry is the next coach of Belgium

Romelu Lukaku has said that he has no doubt that French football star, Thierry Henry will be appointed as the new manager of the Belgium national team.

Henry was Belgium’s deputy coach under Roberto Martinez. Martinez parted ways with the Belgium national side after the team failed to go past the 2022 World Cup group stage.
Lukaku who spoke to Sky Italia, said he believes Thierry Henry will be appointed as the country’s national team coach because he knows the team, the league, and the staff.

He said;
“For me, Henry is the next coach of Belgium. There are no doubts. I say it openly: he will be the next coach. He has the respect of all the players, he has won everything. He knows how to coach, he knows what we have to do to get there.
“He knows the team, the league, the staff. For me, he is the ideal coach for our national team. If it isn’t Henry, then I don’t know who they will hire. But I don’t think Belgium should start from scratch.”

Lukaku also said that “Belgium’s Golden Generation” failure to win anything tangible should not be held against Henry.
He added;
“So far this generation hasn’t won but we have to keep trying to win. He wants to win, and I don’t think the federation is going to get a coach who wants to change everything and start from scratch. It’s not worth it to me.”