My compliments, Mark van Bommel praises the Belgian collective in Italy

Mark van Bommel, the new coach of the Red Devils, said “My compliments, guys” after the 0‑2 victory in Italy. Despite an imperfect second half, he praised his players in the dressing room, highlighting the collective and the match management.

A first success in Italy

This win marks Van Bommel’s first triumph as head of Belgium, achieved on his very first trip to Italian soil. After 45 minutes of intense action, the score could have been larger, which would have left Roberto Mancini with more work. An hour later, the coach returned to the dressing room with the first victory in hand.

The speech focused on the collective

In an immersive clip released by the Belgian Union, Van Bommel said: “After these 3/4 days, we try to bring an idea to the group. I think everyone understands it and can apply it. The substitutes have understood it as well and apply it well: it brings calm back into the team. We don’t do it with eleven, we do it together.” He then added that the collective was the key to success.

He continued: “It’s a start, we’ve only been working on it for four days. If you manage to reproduce this while improving each time, we will become better, stronger. That’s where we enjoy it, I think it’s important. Also in defending, in the way we manage the opponent.”

Van Bommel sees Belgium dominate before a cruel reversal against Italy

Match management and adjustments

Van Bommel acknowledged the element of luck: “Of course, you need a bit of luck. They had a few chances in the second half. But we make a change and the game changes again; calm returns to the team.” The tactical change, according to him, restored control of the game.

He then praised goalkeeper Senne Lammens, whose return was crucial after the elimination against Spain in the World Cup: “Well done, my man. That ball you play out is an important moment.” He concluded by urging the players to enjoy the result, while reminding that “in three days, we’re back to match.”

Belgium triumphs in Italy, Van Bommel opens the scoring

Next challenge against France

After the duel with Roberto Mancini, Van Bommel is preparing to face the new France coach, Zinedine Zidane, in the next match. The Belgian coach maintains the same tone of optimism and rigor for this new challenge.