Marc Degryse doubts Lukaku’s stamina as Van Bommel’s fresh recruits shine
Marc Degryse contrasts the limited minutes given to Romelu Lukaku with the immediate impact of newcomers Joaquin Seys and Roméo Lavia, highlighting a Belgian side that can still entertain despite a 0‑1 defeat to France. The veteran’s observation underscores a team caught between veteran fatigue and youthful vigor.
Degryse’s upbeat assessment after defeat
Despite the loss, Degryse kept a positive outlook on the Belgium‑France encounter. He noted that the Belgian side showed promise even after conceding the solitary goal. The former striker praised the collective intent to press and to play forward when opportunities arose.
Van Bommel’s pragmatic approach praised
Mark van Bommel, the national team coach, earned Degryse’s commendation for his calm handling of criticism. Degryse remarked, “We rarely saw Garcia and Tedesco react like this,” referring to former coaches Domenico Tedesco and Rudi Garcia. Van Bommel’s willingness to answer tough questions without flinching was highlighted as a refreshing change.
Van Bommel explained his philosophy after the match, stating, “I want the team to play this way regardless of the opponent.” He added that the players had already begun to internalise his principles within ten days, a progress he likened to the influence of Kevin De Bruyne.
Newcomers earn points and praise
Our house analyst observed that the debutants Joaquin Seys and Roméo Lavia both secured points for Belgium. Degryse praised Lavia’s forward‑thinking play, saying he was “always thinking ahead in build‑up, dominant in duels and delivers fantastic tackles.” He suggested Lavia could even feature for France.
Hiddink reveals why Mark van Bommel chose the Red Devils
Seys, is knocking on the door for a regular starting berth. He can operate as a left‑back rivaling De Cuyper or as a right‑back in place of Castagne, a versatility van Bommel knows from his time at Antwerp.
Van Bommel also highlighted the contributions of Lukebakio, who was “impactful and could have scored.” However, the coach warned that the team must become more clinical in the closing stages.
Degryse turned his attention to Romelu Lukaku, noting that the striker featured for merely ten minutes against Italy and was not used at all versus France. He questioned whether Lukaku can meet the high‑energy demands of van Bommel’s system, urging the forward to secure more minutes at Fenerbahçe to avoid a looming problem.
Van Bommel aims to finally beat France as Zidane lines up his B team
Overall, Degryse concluded that under van Bommel, the Red Devils no longer hide in a “basement,” even if the performance was not flawless. The blend of seasoned stars and eager newcomers suggests a Belgian side that can both entertain and evolve.