Ngoy thanks Garcia and looks forward to a duel with France

Nathan Ngoy (23) looks back on the departure of Rudi Garcia and emphasizes that he will carry the lesson from the former national coach with him for his whole life, while he is fully focused on the upcoming international of the Red Devils against France.

Breakthrough under Garcia

The central defender broke through with the Red Devils when injuries to Zeno Debast and Arthur Theate gave him a chance. He impressed in a training match against Croatia (0‑2) and then earned a place in the starting lineup for the World Cup.

In the World Cup opener Ngoy played the full match against Egypt, but in the second game against Iran he received a red card after a foul on a through striker. “That was avoidable, I was too ‘à l’aise’ and too overconfident,” he said.

New phase under Van Bommel

After the World Cup came Garcia’s departure, which Ngoy found “regrettable but not surprising”. He compares Garcia to Bruno Genesio, whom he is also grateful to at LOSC Lille. “You carry that with you your whole life,” he said about the impact of the Frenchman.

Mark van Bommel leaves Arthur Theate out of the Red Devils' eleven

Ngoy sees Mark Van Bommel as a “human coach” who understands the players because he himself has played at the highest level. “He explains how he wants to play and that makes a difference,” said the 23‑year‑old.

With nine internationals under his belt, Ngoy can earn his tenth cap against France. He plays for LOSC Lille, but is a youth product of both Anderlecht and Standard, clubs that have shaped him.

Mark van Bommel sees his son benefit from a last‑minute forfeit

For the match against France Ngoy believes that the Belgian defence must stay compact to curb the attacking power of the French. “That is the only way to stop them, and I believe we can do it,” he concludes.