Mark van Bommel deplores Romelu Lukaku's absence in Izmir
The manager of the Red Devils, Mark van Bommel, expressed his regret over Romelu Lukaku's absence, who is not traveling to Turkey because of a hip injury, despite the importance the coach assigns to him even when coming off the bench.
Mark van Bommel does not lower his ambitions and states that he is in Turkey to win.
Romain Van der Pluym, special correspondent in Izmir and expert on Anderlecht and the Red Devils, says that Lukaku trained on Wednesday morning but still felt a discomfort.
A victory in Izmir would lock Turkey into fourth place in the group and ensure qualification for League A with nine points, which is virtually secured.
Goal of the victory in Izmir
"We're here to win," said Mark van Bommel, adding that the 3‑0 score in the first match should not lead to a belief of total domination, the Turks having had many chances and having a new coach studied by the Belgian staff. He highlighted the verticality and the pressing imposed, even against France, and reminded that the aim remains to play Belgian football.
Bommel warns Belgium, the lesson from France before Izmir
The squad must do without Lukaku, who ranks second among the number 9s and has played only one match as a starter since van Bommel took charge.
The coach recalled that Lukaku has again proven his importance as a substitute, notably by scoring at the end of the match against Turkey, and that his absence is a "brick" for him.
He dismissed the idea that the player's club difficulties influence his refusal to fly, stating that a hip discomfort prevented him from striking hard during Tuesday's training, the discomfort still present on Wednesday, and that the aim is for him to be available on Sunday against Italy.
"I don't worry about that sort of thing," the manager smiled, adding that Romelu is very strong mentally, has played these past weeks with Fenerbahçe and that it is "just a injury".
Mark van Bommel demands dominant Red Devils in Izmir after Liège win despite Turkish home advantage
He, however, omitted to specify that the striker's performances have convinced no one in Turkey and that Belgium needs to see him score to feel reassured.
The text contains the word "Discover", taken from the site's layout, as well as the term "Pas" in the expression "No need to have a mathematics degree to know that we must win in Izmir". The keywords of the text also include "Sports", "Rom" and "Diables", recalling the context of international football.