Mark van Bommel defends the young Devils but points at Moreira

The coach of the Red Devils, Mark van Bommel, praised the fighting spirit of his youngsters during the narrow 0‑1 defeat to France in Brussels, while criticizing Francisco Moreira for being less effective with the ball in the match.

Victory in Rome, defeat in Brussels

In the realm of sports, Mark van Bommel is not the type to get worked up after a win, as he demonstrated on Friday in Rome. He also refused to wallow after Monday's defeat in Brussels. This attitude contrasts with the often passionate reactions of coaches.

Match analysis against France

During the match against France, the Red Devils held out at zero for 88 minutes before conceding the only goal. The French squad was mainly made up of substitutes, which allowed Belgium to remain competitive. Despite the loss, van Bommel wanted to highlight this positive aspect.

“I can’t blame the youngsters. We showed intensity and did everything that was required,” the coach said. He added that he had seen “a lot of disappointment in the dressing room after the match.” He believes that the week of joint work was already very satisfactory.

Belgium coach praises Roméo Lavia after loss to France

Tactical choices and outlook

When asked about the absence of Romelu Lukaku, van Bommel explained that he preferred speed, opting for Matias Fernandez‑Pardo as a replacement. He reminded that the medium‑term goal remains the Euro in two years, even though France seems to be ahead. The coach emphasized that each decision must be made “on a case‑by‑case” basis.

Kevin De Bruyne did not play many full minutes, which, according to van Bommel, justifies an individual tactical analysis. He praised the rise of Hans Vanaken and the fantastic performance of Roméo Lavia, as well as that of Mika Godts, even without the ball. However, he judged Moreira “less good with the ball” and announced his suspension on Friday against Turkey.

Roméo Lavia said: “A pride to have played again after three years.” Youri Tielemans reminded that “we are not going to compare ourselves to France,” while Nathan Ngoy stressed the need to be more ruthless. Christophe Franken, head of the Football section, highlighted the importance of these reactions for the future. While these remarks are heard, they illustrate the staff’s desire to improve.

Roméo Lavia wins over the Red Devils, midfield maestro under van Bommel

Next week, the Red Devils will travel to France and will aim to replicate the same pressure. Van Bommel reaffirmed that the ultimate goal remains the Euro in two years, while acknowledging that France maintains a clear lead.