Belgium announce squad for March international break; Kevin De Bruyne out injured

Published at :March 14, 2024 at 10:41 PM

Modified at :March 14, 2024 at 10:41 PM

(Courtesy : Belgium)

Belgium will face Ireland and England in March

The Manchester City star’s groin issue has kept him out of the starting lineup for the second straight Belgian visit to Lansdowne Road on Saturday week.

When Belgium‘s manager Domenico Tedesco revealed his team for the friendlies against England at Wembley on March 23 and Ireland on March 23, there was one noticeably absent name.De Bruyne was noticeably irritated with his manager Pep Guardiola when he was replaced in the second half of Sunday’s 1-1 draw against championship rivals Liverpool, even though he had only recently fully recovered from a five-month absence due to a hamstring rupture.

“I don’t know if there is a connection with his hamstring injury (but) now concerns a problem with the groin that he has been struggling with in recent matches,” Tedesco, who today penned a contract extension to the 2026 World Cup, said about his stricken captain.

“Yesterday I spoke with the doctor and Kevin and we decided that the risk is too great. It is our responsibility to take into account the player, but also the player’s team. It must make sense to call up a player. If he cannot play or train, it is our responsibility to protect him. ”

”It’s better to give him time to recover well at City and then have him ready for the European Championship. We can’t take any risks now, especially not with Kevin.”

De Bruyne was one of the prominent players left out of the last Belgium team that travelled to Dublin for a 2-2 draw precisely two years ago, but this was because former manager Roberto Martinez had a policy of only starting players with 50 caps or less.

They have selected a full-strength squad this time, except De Bruyne, as their preparation for the June Euro championships intensifies.

They were feared to have lost their hopes of winning a major tournament due to the ageing of their golden generation, as they fell from the top spot in the global rankings to fourth.

The winners of this month’s knockout game will be paired with Slovakia, Romania, and the Red Devils at this summer’s Euros.

Belgium squad ahead of March international break

GOALKEEPERS: Arnaud Bodart, Koen Casteels, Thomas Kaminski, Matz Sels

DEFENDERS: Jan Vertonghen, Timothy Castagne, Koni De Winter, Zeno Debast, Wout Faes, Thomas Meunier, Arthur Theate.

MIDFIELDERS: Olivier Deman, Dodi Lukebakio, Orel Mangala, Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, Arthur Vermeeren, Aster Vranckx, Jeremy Doku.

FORWARDS: Johan Bakayoko, Michy Batshuayi, Charles De Ketelaere, Romelu Lukaku, Loïs Openda, Leandro Trossard.

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Belgium announce squad for March international break; Kevin De Bruyne out injured

Belgium will face Ireland and England in March

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Belgium squad ahead of March international break